Walnut Tree

Keane's song 'Walnut Tree' delves into the profound impact of memories and the emotional weight they carry. The lyrics open with a metaphorical 'great storm' that pushes the narrator's head beneath the waves, symbolizing a significant and overwhelming event that has left a lasting impression. This storm could represent a traumatic experience or a deep emotional upheaval that has submerged the narrator in a sea of memories and emotions, making it difficult to move forward.

The walnut tree serves as a poignant symbol in the song. It is a place where the narrator was promised a reunion, a place of waiting and hope. However, the repeated line 'I waited a long, long time' underscores a sense of unfulfilled expectation and lingering attachment. The walnut tree becomes a metaphor for a place in the past where the narrator is stuck, unable to move on from the memories and the promises that were made there.

The chorus questions the narrator's compulsion to revisit these memories, asking 'Why do I come here?' This reflects the struggle of being trapped in the past, where the memories hold a spell over the narrator, freezing them in a time that no longer exists. The song captures the bittersweet nature of nostalgia and the pain of being unable to let go of the past, highlighting the emotional paralysis that can come from living in memories rather than the present.