The lyrics of "The Gardener" depict a narrator apologizing for letting someone down, promising to make a man out of them, and using metaphors of planting a garden and reaping strange new fruit. There are hints of warning and consequences throughout the verses.

Meaning of "The Gardener" by The Dresden Dolls

The song "The Gardener" by The Dresden Dolls can be interpreted as an exploration of power dynamics, control, and manipulation in relationships. The narrator's remorse for their actions and desire to mold the other person into someone more compliant and obedient are evident in the lyrics. The imagery of planting brambles in the bed and growing strange new fruits symbolizes the twisted and destructive nature of the relationship. The reference to the gardener coming to collect can be seen as a metaphor for facing the consequences of one's actions, no matter how much one tries to avoid them. Overall, the song portrays a toxic and manipulative relationship where one person seeks to exert power and control over the other.