This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Write the lines you want me to
With words I dare to use of all
The ones that you have taught me
Along the years.
You cast a perfect shadow on the paper,
Fade away with sunlight.
Fear the way you know me,
Love can leave a stain.
You steal my only hope
And make me stay awake another night.
I wish you bare with me, stay near me
When the autumn leaves have fallen.
Solitude, my pain, the last thing left of me.
If you fall I'll catch.
If you love I'll love
And so it goes, my dear.
Don't be scared you'll be safe,
This I swear if you only love me
Seven lonely lies written on dead winters night.
Open the only book with the only poem I can read.
In blood I sign my name
And seal the midnight with a tear.
Burn the paper, every line, for them I cried.
If you fall I'll catch
If you love I'll love
And so it goes my dear
Don't be scared you'll be safe
This I swear if you only love me back.
I am the Play writer and you are my Crown.
Make me cry for your love,
Like you've done many times
So I know I can't write these story lines without you.
Lady Pain, make me strong,
Can't we be together without them forever?
The words I write can only hurt me,
Sorry for the rain.
Thank you my only one,
You gave me this pain.
I leave you gently on the floor,
Take one step towards the door.
Where's that letter never written,
Good night now.
If you fall I'll catch
If you love I'll love
And so it goes my dear
Don't be scared you'll be safe
This I swear if you only love me.
If you fall I'll catch
If you love I'll love
And so it goes my dear
Don't be scared you'll be safe
This I swear if you only love me back.
If you fall I'll catch
If you love I'll love
And so it goes my dear
Don't be scared you'll be safe
This I swear if you only love me back
With words I dare to use of all
The ones that you have taught me
Along the years.
You cast a perfect shadow on the paper,
Fade away with sunlight.
Fear the way you know me,
Love can leave a stain.
You steal my only hope
And make me stay awake another night.
I wish you bare with me, stay near me
When the autumn leaves have fallen.
Solitude, my pain, the last thing left of me.
If you fall I'll catch.
If you love I'll love
And so it goes, my dear.
Don't be scared you'll be safe,
This I swear if you only love me
Seven lonely lies written on dead winters night.
Open the only book with the only poem I can read.
In blood I sign my name
And seal the midnight with a tear.
Burn the paper, every line, for them I cried.
If you fall I'll catch
If you love I'll love
And so it goes my dear
Don't be scared you'll be safe
This I swear if you only love me back.
I am the Play writer and you are my Crown.
Make me cry for your love,
Like you've done many times
So I know I can't write these story lines without you.
Lady Pain, make me strong,
Can't we be together without them forever?
The words I write can only hurt me,
Sorry for the rain.
Thank you my only one,
You gave me this pain.
I leave you gently on the floor,
Take one step towards the door.
Where's that letter never written,
Good night now.
If you fall I'll catch
If you love I'll love
And so it goes my dear
Don't be scared you'll be safe
This I swear if you only love me.
If you fall I'll catch
If you love I'll love
And so it goes my dear
Don't be scared you'll be safe
This I swear if you only love me back.
If you fall I'll catch
If you love I'll love
And so it goes my dear
Don't be scared you'll be safe
This I swear if you only love me back
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It would seem to make more sense if it were BY a pen rather than TO a pen. Ex: "I write the lines you want me to..."