Meaning of "Spanish Rose" by Van Morrison

The lyrics of "Spanish Rose" convey a sense of nostalgia and longing for a lost love. The speaker reflects on past memories and experiences tied to this person, represented by the metaphor of a Spanish rose. The mention of wine beneath the bed and the things that have been done and said evoke a sense of intimacy and shared experiences. The memories come glancing back to the speaker in their loneliness, highlighting the absence of this person in their life.

The bridge symbolizes a separation between the speaker and the Spanish rose, yet their love still reaches across its stretch. The speaker wonders where the person is, longing for them to take them back again, to recapture the joy and connection they once shared. The gate being pulled shut signifies missed opportunities and the closing off of possibilities. The speaker hopes that the Spanish rose will come through, along with the friends they used to have. The desire to swing the town and have a ball represents a longing for carefree, joyful times.

The mention of the lights going out and no one being around suggests a sense of desolation and loneliness. The country being in full bloom and dancing in the room convey a contrast between the outside world and the personal turmoil within. The realization that everything is wrong and cannot be put right tears the speaker apart. The way the Spanish rose held a note and the trembling in their throat symbolize the beauty and emotional depth of their singing.

The rising water and winter winds of days gone by evoke a sense of passing time, leading the speaker to question and wonder why their love is gone. The speaker confesses to creeping to the window to touch the Spanish rose's hair while they sleep, longing to be the one to rescue them from their misery and lonely castle wall. The repetition of "take me back again" emphasizes the speaker's longing and desire for a second chance, to recapture the love and happiness they once shared.

Overall, "Spanish Rose" delves into the emotions of longing, nostalgia, and the yearning for lost love. It explores the depths of past memories and the desire to recapture the joyous moments shared with the Spanish rose, symbolizing the longing for connection, intimacy, and a second chance at love.