Inspired by Claire McCarthy's 2018 film (screenplay by Semi Chellas) based on the novel by Lisa Klein, and the painting by Sir John Everett Millais, this song borrows a good deal of imagery from the original Shakespearean play, and a fair few lines.
Madness, hysteria or some other such diagnosis has too often been used to dismiss the lives and struggles of women. This time, Ophelia turns madness on its head to escape to a new life. Nothing is ever truly what it seems to be on the surface.
The names and associations of flowers have long been a passion of mine, and their uses in medicine, nutrition, dyeing, decoration, and ecology. The secret language of trees and flowers to send covert messages fascinates me. A few found their way into this song.
Leslie Hudson: piano, vocals
W. Scott "Steve" Snyder: mandolin
John Argentiero: guitar
Lyrics
One sorrow treads upon another's heels
So fast they follow
One willow grows along a glassy stream
That flows by
There are nettles in the daisies
And thorns upon the rose
Some girls sing in riddles
Only Ophelia knows
Doubt thou the stars are fire
Doubt that the sun doth move
Doubt truth to be a liar
One lover beats upon another's heart
So fast they follow
One mother wakes to find a broken dream
That flows by
There are nettles in the daisies
And thorns upon the rose
Some girls sing in riddles
Only Ophelia knows
Doubt thou the stars are fire
Doubt that the sun doth move
Doubt truth to be a liar, to be a liar
Doubt truth to be a liar, to be a liar
One minnow lost upon another hook
So fast they follow
One widow winds along a silver stream
That flows by
There are nettles in the daisies
And thorns upon the rose
Doubt truth to be a liar
Some girls sing in riddles
Only Ophelia knows
No muddy death for me
Flowers hanging from the tree
Madly I played the part
Wild I am running free
Nothing now will tarry me
Doubt truth to be a liar
There are nettles in the daisies
And thorns upon the rose
Some girls sing in riddles
Only Ophelia knows
There are secrets in the poppies
That women know to save
Some girls sing in riddles
Over Ophelia's grave
There are nettles in the daisies
And thorns upon the rose
Doubt truth to be a liar, to be a liar
Some girls sing in riddles
Only Ophelia knows
Some girls sing in riddles
But never doubt I love
Only Ophelia knows
Some girls sing in riddles
Never doubt I love