Fields Of Gold

"Fields of Gold" is a deeply romantic and nostalgic ballad that tells a chronological story of a lifelong love and commitment. The song's central theme is the creation of a powerful, lasting memory tied to a specific place, which serves as a sanctuary for the couple's love. The narrative progresses from the initial courtship and the making of a profound promise, through the raising of children, and ultimately to the idea of being remembered after death. The 'fields of barley,' which become 'fields of gold' in the sunlight, represent this sacred space and the beautiful, growing, and ultimately harvested nature of their relationship. It speaks to a love so intense that it makes the rest of the world, personified by the 'jealous sun,' seem insignificant. The song is a meditation on the passage of time, enduring love, and the promise of being remembered through shared, cherished moments in a timeless, idyllic landscape.

The song begins with a poignant promise of remembrance. The narrator tells his beloved that she will think of him whenever the west wind blows across the fields of barley. This powerful memory will be so vivid it will eclipse the sun itself as they walk together in the metaphorical 'fields of gold.' This sets a scene of deep, enduring love connected to a specific, beautiful landscape.

The narrative then shifts to a memory of how their love began. The woman, his love, joins him to gaze upon the barley fields. In this idyllic setting, she falls into his arms, her hair coming down, symbolizing a moment of surrender and deep intimacy among the golden fields. He asks for her commitment, inviting her to be his love, and promises that their connection will be so profound that the outside world, even the 'jealous sun,' will fade into insignificance as they lie together in their golden sanctuary.

The imagery continues with the west wind personified as a lover moving across the fields, mirroring the physical intimacy of the couple. Her body rises to his kiss, a moment of passion shared within the golden barley. Acknowledging his past, the narrator admits he has broken promises before, but he makes a solemn vow to cherish their remaining days, walking together in the 'fields of gold.' This line introduces a sense of finite time and the preciousness of their commitment.

Many years later, the scene is revisited. The passage of time is marked by the sight of children running as the sun sets over the same golden fields, suggesting a family born from their love. The song comes full circle, with the narrator reiterating that his beloved will remember him when the wind blows. He adds a final, powerful instruction: she can tell the sun, in its jealous sky, about the profound and timeless love they shared when they walked in the fields of gold, cementing the memory as an eternal testament to their bond.

"Fields of Gold" was written by Sting and released in 1993 on his fourth solo album, Ten Summoner's Tales. The primary inspiration for the song came from the view from Sting's 16th-century manor house in Wiltshire, England, which is surrounded by barley fields. He was captivated by the sight of the wind moving over the fields in the summer, making them shimmer like an ocean of gold, a sight he found 'inherently sexy' and primal. This visual splendor, combined with his love for his wife, Trudie Styler, whom he had married in 1992, formed the lyrical foundation. The song was recorded at Lake House in Wiltshire, the very home that inspired it, with Sting and Hugh Padgham co-producing. The recording was noted for its live-in-the-studio feel, with keyboardist David Sancious mentioning there were no overdubs, capturing a simple, organic performance. The track features distinctive instrumentation, including a harmonica solo by Brendan Power and Northumbrian smallpipes played by Kathryn Tickell, which adds to its folk-like, timeless quality.

The song follows a relatively simple structure, primarily using a rhyme scheme within its verses that is close to ABCB, although it is not strictly consistent throughout. The focus is more on the narrative and lyrical flow than a rigid rhyme pattern. The lyrics are composed as a blank verse, which gives the song a storytelling, poetic quality.

The rhythm is gentle and steady, set in a 4/4 time signature. It has a relaxed, unhurried tempo that contributes to the song's calm and nostalgic atmosphere. The rhythmic feel is often described as 'lilting,' with the acoustic guitar providing a consistent, undulating pattern that creates a sense of peaceful movement, much like the wind through the barley fields it describes. There is a seamless interplay between the soft percussion and the flowing melody, ensuring that the focus remains on Sting's vocals and the lyrical story.

"Fields of Gold" employs a combination of literary and musical techniques to create its evocative atmosphere. Lyrically, it uses powerful imagery to paint a vivid picture of the pastoral landscape, which is central to the song's narrative. The use of personification ('jealous sky') and metaphor (the fields representing their love) adds depth to the lyrics. The song's structure is a straightforward narrative verse form, telling a chronological story without a traditional chorus, instead using a recurring refrain at the end of each verse to reinforce the central theme.

Musically, the song is noted for its gentle, 'lilting' rhythmic feel and a simple, diatonic harmonic progression, which creates a tranquil and accessible quality. The arrangement builds gradually, starting with a core of acoustic guitar and Sting's vocals, and then layering in other instruments like synth strings, a harmonium, and most notably, the Northumbrian smallpipes (played by Kathryn Tickell) and a harmonica solo (by Brendan Power), which provide a unique, folk-infused texture. Sting's vocal delivery is smooth and expressive, enhancing the poignant and reflective mood of the song.

"Fields of Gold" was released as a single in June 1993, reaching number 16 on the UK Singles Chart and number 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Despite its modest initial chart performance, it has become one of Sting's most beloved and signature songs. It was featured on his successful compilation album Fields of Gold: The Best of Sting 1984–1994. The song's timeless quality has led to numerous cover versions, the most famous being the posthumously released recording by American singer Eva Cassidy, which gained widespread recognition. Her version was famously used by figure skater Michelle Kwan for a performance at the 2002 Winter Olympics. Other artists like Katie Melua and the reggae band Third World have also covered the song. Paul McCartney has expressed his admiration for the song, stating it was one he wished he had written. Its enduring appeal lies in its universal themes of love, commitment, and memory, solidifying its place as a classic ballad in contemporary music history.

• Fields of Gold/Barley: The central metaphor of the song. The fields represent a sacred, idyllic space for the lovers, symbolizing their relationship. The barley, a crop that is grown and harvested, mirrors the lifecycle of their love, from its blossoming to its maturity and the creation of lasting memories. The transformation to 'gold' in the sun signifies the preciousness, beauty, and richness of their bond.
• West Wind: The west wind is a recurring motif that symbolizes memory and the enduring spirit of the narrator. It acts as a trigger for his lover's memory, a physical manifestation of his presence even after he is gone. Sting also described the wind's movement over the barley as if it were 'making love to the barley,' linking it to the couple's primal connection.
• Jealous Sun: The sun is personified as being 'jealous' of the lovers. This metaphor emphasizes the intensity and insular nature of their love, suggesting it is so profound that it outshines even the brightest celestial body and creates its own world, making them forget everything else. It represents the outside world that fades away in the face of their powerful connection.

The most prominent recurring motif is the phrase "fields of gold," which appears at the end of nearly every verse, acting as a lyrical refrain that anchors the song's central theme. Its repetition solidifies the image of a beautiful, idyllic place that is synonymous with the couple's love and memories. The variation from "fields of barley" to "fields of gold" is also significant, marking the transformative power of love and memory.

The line, "You'll remember me when the west wind moves / Upon the fields of barley," is another crucial recurring phrase. It opens the song and reappears towards the end, framing the narrative and establishing the theme of enduring memory linked to nature. The phrase "we'll forget the sun in his jealous sky" also repeats, emphasizing the all-consuming nature of their love. These repetitions, rather than a traditional chorus, give the song a hypnotic, chant-like quality that reinforces its timelessness.