Cemetry Gates

The Smiths' 'Cemetry Gates' is a song that delves into themes of mortality, originality, and the reverence of literary figures. The lyrics, penned by the band's lead singer Morrissey, are known for their poetic nature and often complex themes. The song opens with a seemingly paradoxical 'dreaded sunny day,' suggesting a discomfort with the brightness and cheer that contradicts the somber setting of a cemetery. The meeting at the cemetery gates is a rendezvous that sets the stage for a discussion on life, death, and literature.

The mention of Keats, Yeats, and Wilde indicates a conversation between the song's narrator and another person about these literary giants. The narrator aligns themselves with Oscar Wilde, known for his wit and nonconformity, while the other person claims the romanticism of Keats and Yeats. This sets up a contrast between the narrator's individualism and the other's adherence to more traditional romantic ideals. The song then moves to a critique of originality in art, with the narrator admonishing the other for not using their own words in prose and poetry, highlighting the importance of authenticity in creative expression.

The repeated visits to the cemetery symbolize a search for meaning and connection with the past. The narrator's emotional response to the lives that have ended reflects on the universal experiences of love, hate, and passion, and the inevitable end that comes with death. The song's title, 'Cemetry Gates,' with its intentional misspelling, adds to the quirkiness and individuality that The Smiths are known for, further emphasizing the theme of nonconformity present throughout the song.