This song is about two things at once. The "earth" is the grave, at the end. I'm not sure if that's clear, or ambiguous.
(Not a perfect take, but I pick up steam as I go along. Some junk on my vocal folds. Blech. TMI. LOL.)
My Darling by Jessica Graae 2/23/22- All Rights Reserved
Oh, my darling, Oh, my darling,
The river’s started to rise.
Oh, my darling, Oh, my darling.
You left and never said why.
Oh, my darling, Oh, my darling.
The skies have all turned from blue.
Oh, my darling, Oh, my darling,
Our distance is endless and cruel.
Oh, my love. Oh, my love.
Oh, my darling. Oh, my darling.
Now you’ve finally returned.
Oh, my darling, Oh, my darling,
The fields are beginning to burn.
Oh, my love. Oh, my love.
Oh, my darling, Oh, my darling,
The grass has grown over the earth.
Oh, my darling, Oh, my darling,
You never did keep your word.
Oh, my love. Oh, my love.
@musicsongwriter Feb 2022
Very moving song, singing and playing. Sad and beautiful.
@timlaborie Feb 2022
The repeated lines and the finger picked melody move this song forward as the story evolves. And the "Oh my love" line come in at just the right time for a break. You are right, I didn't get the meaning of the earth at the end. He returns, yet he never kept his word.
@tseaver Feb 2022
Lovely write: the repetition is perfect for the allusive / illusive take that the story offers. The burning fields turn the story on its head, in a "just so" way: well done!