When it's passing strange
And I'm waiting for the train
Caught up on this line again
And it's passing slowly

Killing time but it's better
Than living in what will come
And I've still got some
Of your letters with me

And I thought sometimes
Or I read too much and I think you know
Let's drink to the dead lying under the water
And the cost of the blood on the driven snow

And the lipstick on my cigarettes
Frost upon the window pane

Nine while nine
And I'm waiting for the train

She said, "Do you remember a time when angels?
Do you remember a time when fear
In the days when I was stronger
In the days when you were here"

She said, "When days had no beginning
While days had no end when shadows grew no longer
I knew no other friend but you were wild"
You were wild

Frost upon these cigarettes
Lipstick on the window pane
And I've lost all sense of the world outside
But I can't forget so I call your name

And I'm looking for a life for me
And I'm looking for a life for you
And I'm talking to myself again
And it's so damn cold it's just not true

And I'm walking through the rain
Trying to hold on waiting for the train
And I'm only looking for what you want
But it's lonely here and I think you knew

And I'm, and I'm waiting
And I wait in vain
Nine while nine
And I'm waiting for the train

And I'm waiting
And I wait in vain
Nine while nine
And I'm waiting for the train

And I'm waiting
And I wait in vain
Nine while nine
I'm waiting for the train



Lyrics submitted by o0Sid0o

Nine While Nine Lyrics as written by Gary Marx Andrew Eldritch

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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Nine While Nine song meanings
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15 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    Love the song, not really sure what it means, however the line "Lipstick on my cigarrette" appears in Driven Like the Snow as well.

    SpikeyKisseson May 09, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I think the train in this song signifies an escape from the pain of his heartbreak that is not forthcoming - it could be interpretted as suicide, literally travel, a new lover or even just a sense of closure.

    devotionon May 22, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    Drug references? In a Sisters song? NO WAY!!!!! LOL

    Some of the most beautiful lyrics ever written. I think that he is contemplating suicide over the loss of a lover.

    "it's Better than living in what will come and I've Still got some of your letters with me and I Thought sometimes or I read too much And I think you know let's Drink to the dead lying under the water and the Cost of the blood on the driven snow"

    I think he's desperately searching for a way to make his relationship work, and if he doesn't find it, he'll throw himself in front of the train.

    "I'm Looking for a life for me and I'm Looking for a life for you and I'm Talking to myself again and it's So damn cold it's just not true and I'm Walking through the rain Trying to hold on waiting for the train and I'm Only looking for what you want but it's Lonely here and I think you knew"

    Pretty literal, I know, but I've been there!

    heidismuttion February 12, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Frost upon these cigarettes Lipstick on the window pane and I've Lost all sense of the world outside but I Can't forget so I call your name and I'm Looking for a life for me and I'm Looking for a life for you and I'm Talking to myself again and it's So damn cold it's just not true and I'm Walking through the rain Trying to hold on waiting for the train and I'm Only looking for what you want but it's Lonely here and I think you knew and I'm And I'm waiting And I wait in vain Nine while nine and I'm waiting For the train.

    Thats poetry, first song of Sisters Of Mercy i heard, no wonder i got stuck. :D

    Proddieon April 27, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I seem to recall that "nine while nine" is a regional slang term meaning 9am till 9pm or similar.

    vigilanton July 02, 2004   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    i really think this is about a friend of his that died.. adn he's trying to make sense of it all and moving on with his life..

    ..but there's always still that frustration

    xpsychicheartsxon March 05, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    vigilant is correct, "while" is basically a synonym for "until" in certain parts of England.

    This song is (and I need a synonym of my own pretty badly here) apparently (how many times have I typed that?) about Eldritch's One True Love (TM) Claire - their relationship forms the basis of several Sisters songs.

    The real question is not whether we should be glad that their relationship ended in a heartbreaking way and provided the world with a few great songs because of it, but whether SHE CHUCKED YOU or YOU CHUCKED HER, Andy! Go on, tell us!

    The Knaveon May 19, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Vigilant/The Knave - Eldritch studied in Leeds - northern england, some of my freinds from that area say "while" ti mean "until".

    A truly remarkable song full of emotion - the lyrics are poetic, and the way they are sung takes them to another level.

    For me - i think its about the anguish felt in his volatile relationship. "caught up on this line again" - sounds like he has been "there" before, devastating pain after a argument/break up. I wonder if the line is a reference to two things - this as well - he used "line" to refer to drugs in songs like 1959 and Amphetamine Logic ?

    MMFB2001on February 20, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I agree with JAS. Abandonment. Waiting and waiting for her to comeback, but she never does.

    Jenovassonon August 02, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Absolutely amazing track. Have never tired of it which is quite rare for me! Think the train and line references are actually transport related and not drug metaphors. You lot are too clever for your own good. He's killing time waiting for his train, by torturing himself with thoughts of a lost relationship. He's almost torturing himself with the pain but has to hold on to it because that's better that the thought of losing that feeling which is the final end of the relationship.

    Killing time but it's Better than living in what will come and I've Still got some of your letters with me

    Or perhaps he's just concerned with the on-board catering facilities on the Northern Main Line. Not very goth though is it.......

    herrogon January 08, 2007   Link

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