‘Lily’ is a song written by Kate Bush. It was originally released on her seventh album The Red Shoes. The song is devoted to Lily Cornford, a noted spiritual healer in London with whom Bush became close friends in the 1990s.

“She was one of those very rare people who are intelligent, intuitive and kind,” Kate has said of Cornford, who believed in mental colour healing—a process whereby patients would be restored to health by seeing various hues. “I was really moved by Lily and impressed with her strength and knowledge, so it led to a song – which she thought was hilarious.”

Versions

There are two versions of ‘Lily’: the album version from 1993, and the version from Bush’s album Director’s Cut in 2011. A live version appears on the album Before The Dawn.

Music video

A music video for ‘Lily’ exists, as part of the movie The Line, The Cross and The Curve.

Performances

The song was performed live as the first song during Kate’s Before The Dawn shows in London, 2014.

Cover versions

‘Lily’ was covered by Goodknight Productions.

Lyrics

Oh thou, who givest sustenance to the universe
From whom all things proceed
To whom all things return
Unveil to us the face of the true spiritual sun
Hidden by a disc of golden light
That we may know the truth
And do our whole duty
As we journey to thy sacred feet

Well I said
“Lily, Oh Lily I don’t feel safe
I feel that life has blown a great big hole
Through me”
And she said
“Child, you must protect yourself
I’ll show you how with fire”

Gabriel before me
Raphael behind me
Michael to my right
Uriel on my left side
In the circle of fire

I said
“Lily, Oh Lily I’m so afraid
I fear I am walking in the Veil of Darkness”
And she said
“Child, take what I say
With a pinch of salt
And protect yourself with fire”

Gabriel before me
Raphael behind me
Michael to my right
Uriel on my left side
In the circle of fire

Credits (1993)

Drums: Stuart Elliott
Bass: John Giblin
Guitars: Danny McIntosh
Fujare, Singing bowls: Paddy Bush
Keyboards: Kate
Narration: Lily

Credits (2011)

Drums: Steve Gadd
Bass: John Giblin
Guitars: Dan McIntosh
Keyboards: Kate
Backing vocals: Mica Paris, Kate
Fujare: Paddy Bush
‘The Gayatri’ narrated by: Lily Cornford

References