This is the first time I’m participating in Music Monday, the brainchild of Soccer Mom In Denial and it took me a while to really get the point of what you’re supposed to be posting about. Then I realized you could just post about any song for any reason. Coincidentally, as I realized this, CB was playing Jeff Buckley’s version of Lilac Wine, a song written by James Shelton and I got caught up in it, touched by the simple melody and moved by the lyrics. I’ve always been fond of the song Strawberry Wine (ew, yes, I know it’s country…when I was 15 or 16 I had this weird phase where all I listened to was Tupac, Biggy and Y108 for several months…we can all be thankful that that’s over) by Deanna Carter, but I didn’t quite think it fit anything that I’ve ever experienced. First of all, strawberry wine is for pussies. Seriously, that’s like, Boone’s and if you get all tipsy on Boone’s you’re a lightweight. First love is a LOT stronger/better than Boone’s. Also, the refrain goes:

“Like strawberry wine and seventeen
The hot July moon saw everything
My first taste of love oh bittersweet
Green on the vine
Like strawberry wine”

It’s great imagery but strawberry wine isn’t bittersweet. Black currant wine maybe, or grapefruit wine, if they make that, but not strawberry wine. But anyway, this isn’t about that song. This is about Lilac Wine. Not only do I think that Shelton uses more poetic and intricate lyrics, there is also this; lilac wine is thought to be poisonous. It adds another layer to lyrics that already convey a true sense of the potency of true, real love.

Lilac Wine

I lost myself on a cool damp night
I gave myself in that misty light
Was hypnotized by a strange delight
Under a lilac tree

I made wine from the lilac tree
Put my heart in it’s recipe
It makes me see what I want to see
And be what I want to be

When I think more than I want to think
Do things I never should do
I drink much more that I ought to drink
Because it brings me back you

Lilac wine is sweet and heady,
Like my love
Lilac wine, I feel unsteady,
Like my love

Listen to me, I cannot see clearly
Isn’t that she, coming to me
Nearly here

Lilac wine is sweet and heady,
Where’s my love
Lilac wine, I feel unsteady,
Where’s my love

Listen to me, why is everything so hazy
Isn’t that she, or am I just going crazy, dear