Never look her in the eyes
Never tell the truth
If she knows your paper
You know she'll have to burn you

Never tell the one you want that you do
Save it for the deathbed
When you know you kept her wanting you

And do everything she'd never do

Fall asleep with stranger's wives
The wild wives of unknown men
Good for you, you've just become
Just another one of them

Never say you miss her
Never say a word

And do everything she'd never do

Don't let her see your cardinal eyes

Let her treat you like a criminal
So you can treat her like a priest
Girls forgive my human mind
Girls forgive me one more time

Never tell the one you love that you do
Save it for the deathbed

And do everything she'd never do

Don't let her see your cardinal eyes
Don't let her see your cardinal eyes

Jesus Christ you have confused me
Cornered, wasted, blessed and used me
Forgive me girls I am confused
Stiff and pissed and lost and loose

Jesus Christ you have confused me
Cornered, wasted, blessed and used me
Forgive me girls I am confused
Stiff and pissed and lost and loose


Lyrics submitted by SomethingClever

Cardinal Song Lyrics as written by Bryan Devendorf Aaron Dessner

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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Cardinal Song song meanings
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    General Comment

    here's my take - the person of this song put themselves out there for the one they love. told them how much they meant all the time and really went for it. she ends up leaving him and this song is the opposite of how he went about things and he offers "advice" on how to keep the one you love (dont tell the person you care, cheat on her, etc.). it's a very cynical song. as twisted as it is though, you see this a lot with relationships and couples. playing games, in it for the chase, playing hard to get, etc. Cardinal refers to direction and "don't let her see your cardinal eyes" means don't let her see all those things on your mind. If she knows your cardinal direction, she knows exactly where you're at and where you're going. by revealing everything about yourself, he feels you will drive that special person away. in the end, he's confused and angry as to why so many people and relationships work like this. it doesn't make sense.

    njs1243on January 16, 2008   Link

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