Monday, July 7, 2008

Illustration Friday - Sour


The Peter Paul & Mary song Lemon Tree illustrates the multiple meanings of the word sour: having a sharp biting taste, false and dark.

Here are the lyrics:

When I was just a lad of ten, my father said to me
"Come here and take a lesson from the lovely Lemon Tree"
"Don't put your faith in love, my boy" my father said to me
"I fear you'll find that love is like the lovely Lemon Tree"

Lemon Tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet
but the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat
Lemon Tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet
but the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat

One day beneath the Lemon Tree, my love and I did lie
A girl so sweet that when she smiled the stars rose in the sky
We passed that summer lost in love beneath the lemon tree
the music of her laughter hid my father's words from me

Lemon Tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet
but the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat
Lemon Tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet
but the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat

One day she left without a word. She took away the sun
And in the dark she left behind, I knew what she had done
She'd left me for another, it's a common tale but true
A sadder man but wiser now I sing these words to you

Lemon Tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet
but the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat
Lemon Tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet
but the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat

10 comments:

Digital Scott's Illustrationblog said...

I was listening to this on my iPod on hike a few days ago! Awesome tune.

Your illustration is great, even better when paired with the lyrics! Glad I stopped by.

Christy/Tiddly Inks Digitals said...

It has been a bit on the bitter side of life this week....your illo really captured it! I guess I better grab some sugar and make lemonade! LOL

Ujwala Prabhu said...

we used to sing this song in school and like digital scott i have it on my iPod :D beautifully illustrated.

Miguel A. López Mendoza said...

woooow great jus great !!

Karen Salva said...

Very cool, love what you have done.

Stop by in a bit, I have an award waiting for you!

Erica said...

Brilliant!
Erica

stellarjae said...

I agree with the above comments :) I really dig this illustration and that you combined it with the lyrics. Good work!

Unknown said...

Awesome illustration!

Bee said...

Love the simple, graphic quality of this, a great entry (your oil work below is wonderful too) :)

steve said...

Excellent interpretation Laurel--goes very well with the lyrics and theme!