Meaning of "Gently Tender" by The Incredible String Band

The lyrics of "Gently Tender" by The Incredible String Band evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for a past love. The gentle rain and snow symbolize the cleansing of the past, allowing the speaker to reflect on their feelings and the genuine love they once shared. The imagery of shadows, dancing, and dreaming adds a dream-like quality to the song, emphasizing the bittersweet nature of memories. The references to nature, such as the snake and the green bush trees, further underline the themes of growth and change. The repetition of "good loving" and the realization that all the speaker's wine is now water suggest a sense of loss and resignation, as they come to terms with the end of the relationship. Overall, the lyrics of "Gently Tender" capture the complex emotions of love and loss, as well as the passage of time and the process of healing from heartbreak.