The meaning of ‘When Doves Cry’ has actually been interpreted by many people, since Prince never explicitly told anyone the meaning even though he left behind many clues.
With a huge passion for symbolism, he worked a lot of spirituality and symbolism into his work.
As a symbol, the Dove is usually known for Love and peace, a sign for new beginnings and a prophecy of things to come.
The Holy Spirit, one of the figures of the Holy Trinity is depicted as a dove in the baptism of Jesus. According to the Bible, when Jesus emerged from the water, a dove from heaven descended upon him.
Baptism is a Christian sacrament of spiritual rebirth by which you are cleansed of our original sin, and the Holy Spirit places you in union in Christ, and makes you a formal member of the Christian Community.
In the Noah’s Ark story, God decided to create a big flood to wipe out all the people on Earth, except for Noah and his family. After forty days and forty nights, Noah released a raven to look for dry land.
When the raven returned without success, a dove was then released. The dove flew back triumphantly with an olive leaf. Noah was pleased.
It brought reassurance that trees were growing on dry land – a certain sign of life. The dove stood, therefore for new beginnings, great expectations and deliverance.
Although it is a white dove that typically represents peace and safety, mourning doves may also represent the same.
The states of Wisconsin and Michigan regard the mourning dove as their official state symbol of peace.
Pablo Picasso, the famous Spanish artist, when commissioned to design the logo for the World Peace Congress in 1949, drew a dove entitled ‘Dove of Peace-Blue.’
It is because of their simple and maternal nature that doves have become a symbol of solidarity and concord among nations.
Prince had a Love for doves, not just an interest.
He really loved them and owned two of his own ‘Majesty and Divinity’ to these beautiful birds were very near and dear to Prince (he even gave them credits in his song Arboretum).
The birds loved him to, in fact not long after Prince had died the birds stopped cooing. When Princes music was played for them they started to sing again.
Whoopi Goldberg said it best when she expressed exactly how the World felt about Prince’s passing of an accidental overdose of fentanyl, at the age of 57 at Prince’s home at Paisley Park recording studio and home in Chanhassen, Minnesota.
This is what it sounds like when doves cry.
Numerous musicians and cultural figures reacted to Prince’s death.
President Barack Obama mourned him and the United States Senate passed a resolution praising his achievements ‘as a musician, composer, innovator, and cultural icon’.
Cities across the US held tributes and vigils, and lit buildings, bridges, and other venues in purple.
I never meant to cause you any sorrow
I never meant to cause you any pain
I only wanted one time to see you laughing
I only want to see you laughing in the purple rain
Purple rain, purple rain
Purple rain, purple rain
Purple rain, purple rain
I only want to see you bathing in the purple rain
I never wanted to be your weekend lover
I only wanted to be some kind of friend
Baby, I could never steal you from another
It’s such a shame our friendship had to end
Purple rain, purple rain
Purple rain, purple rain
Purple rain, purple rain
I only want to see you underneath the purple rain
Honey I know, I know, I know times are changing
It’s time we all reach out for something new
That means you too
You say you want a leader
But you can’t seem to make up your mind
I think you better close it
And let me guide you to the purple rain
Purple rain, purple rain
Purple rain, purple rain
If you know what I’m singing about up here
C’mon, raise your hand
Purple rain, purple rain
I only want to see you, only want to see you
In the purple rain
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