Lyrics
Today I Need Light
Swallows
it's not the troubled breathing, the heartbeat caving in
it's not the work you wanted, that's past and getting dim
it's not the silent trials, the things you did to yourself
it's not the empty feeling in the voice of someone else
time will pass, but the words won't come
these things you held just to keep yourself warm
time will pass, time'll leave you all alone
with only swallows passing by
sundown, orange moon, honey I bought these things for you
come meet me all messed up, is that the best that you could do?
a cold heart feeling nothing, lying on a floor
with thoughts of former friends; you think they need you any more?
time will pass...
sunrise, an empty window, a bible on a chair
no shout in the street, no voices on the stair
a young man breathing softly, a number, an address
the church bell says it's sunday, it could hardly matter less
time will pass...
no health, no sense of self, look out for us, amen
unveil these empty threats, can you connect with them again?
new morning starting over the tired beat within
old friends and newborn babies, a touch of lips on skin
time will pass...
The virgin's lullaby
the angel, the angel
came unto me, came unto me
the angel, the angel
came unto me, said I would conceive...
I saw at once, I saw at once
my heart would be torn, my heart would be torn
my only boy, my only boy
taken from me, taken from me
my only boy, bloody and raw
taken from me; a killer set free
I saw at once, I saw at once
my heart would be torn, my heart would be torn
the angel, the angel
came unto me, said I would conceive, I would conceive, I would conceive...
Catholic boys in the rain
peel another bandage off and let me see the scars
designs were all you got from me, cigarettes in 8 bells bars
these people we once were, such persons might I be
a place that's kept for us? closer my god to thee...
I sit in a borrowed car outside an empty church
and wreck my mind for memories that slip and slide, prolonging the search
unhurried virgins in our golds and whites and greens
without ideas, we were watered-down then, silent and keen
catholic boys in the rain and one of them looks like you used to
drinking all st patrick's day's a privilege I'm sure
to weave your way through wicklow on a college-sponsored tour
the final place god made, the first place that he blessed
a holy time for you, the first time you got a girl undressed
catholic boys in the rain and one of them looks like you used to
it's raining on st swithin's now, for forty days and nights
forget the cloud that led us here and focus on the lights
with coins to give for candles, with thoughts both pure and sound
I'll walk into your church at last and I'll kneel down
catholic boys in the rain and one of them looks like you used to
Met (a storm)
something there is about a storm
that needs me to not be safe or warm
something there is about a storm
that needs me together, needs me on form
some things take so long
something there is about a sea
that wants you inside it, limbless and free
something there is about a sea
that wants you the same way you once wanted me
some things take so long
and some things are plain wrong
well I'll admit that there were times
when breathing out
was that much easier for me
than breathing in
and I'll admit that there were times
that there were others
and that some of them were younger than you
something there is about a snow
that tears us together, tongue-tied and low
something there is about a snow
whips us up with it: I'm ready to go
Her window
there's a crucifix by her window
a shadow of jesus on the wall
endless articles on lost and regained faith
I have been force-fed with them all
just sitting tight seems half the battle
and there's so little left to say
I ponder things they brought to shore me
a medal and a rosary
and when they come to crucify me
I hope I will be kind
a fixture here, I paint myself beyond the pale
wine and water on my mind
still, it's a voluntary orchard
and I'd rather die than be tortured
and I know just as well as you that we've both got work to do