Simon & Garfunkel’s “April Come She Will”: A Song of Love’s Fleeting Nature
In the realm of folk music, Simon & Garfunkel stand as towering figures, their music weaving tales of love, loss, and the complexities of the human experience. Among their enduring masterpieces, “April Come She Will” stands out as a poignant ballad that captures the fleeting nature of love and the bittersweet cycle of the seasons.
Released in 1966 as the B-side to their hit single “Scarborough Fair/Canticle,” “April Come She Will” quickly found its own place in the hearts of listeners. The song’s gentle melody, composed by Paul Simon, intertwines with Art Garfunkel’s soothing vocals, creating an atmosphere of tender melancholy.
Lyrically, “April Come She Will” is a masterclass in simplicity. Simon’s words paint vivid imagery of the changing seasons, using them as metaphors for the impermanence of love. The opening lines, “April come she will / When streams are ripe and swelled with rain,” establish the song’s central theme: the cyclical nature of both nature and love.
As the song progresses, the seasons change, mirroring the ups and downs of a love affair. May brings warmth and affection, June brings a shift in mood, July brings fleeting moments of passion, and August, with its harsh winds, signifies the inevitable end. The final lines, “September I’ll remember / A love once new has now grown old,” capture the bittersweet nostalgia that lingers after a love has faded.
“April Come She Will” is more than just a song about love’s transience; it’s a meditation on the beauty and sadness inherent in impermanence. The song reminds us that while love may not last forever, the memories we create will endure, like the changing seasons that continue their ceaseless dance.
Simon & Garfunkel’s masterful songwriting and their ability to evoke profound emotions with simple language have cemented “April Come She Will” as a timeless classic. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its power to connect with listeners on a deeply personal level, reminding us of the delicate balance between joy and sorrow, love and loss, that defines the human experience.