I was surprised
I was happy for a day in 1975
I was puzzled by a dream
It stayed with me all day in 1995
My brother had confessed he was gay
It took the heat off me for a while
He stood up with a sailor friend
Made it known upon my sister's wedding day.

Got married in a rush to save a kid from being deported
Now she's in love
I was so touched, I was moved to kick the crutches
From my crippled friend
She was not impressed
Cause I cured her on the Sabbath
I went to confess
When she saw the funny side, we introduced my child bride
To whiskey and gin
To whiskey and gin.

The priest in the booth had a photographic memory
For all he had heard
He took all of my sins and he wrote a pocket novel
Called The State That I'm In
So I gave myself to God
There was a pregnant pause before he said okay
Now I spend my days turning tables round in Marks & Spencer
They don't seem to mind.

I gave myself to sin, I gave
Myself to providence and I've
Been there and back again
The state that I am in.

I gave myself to sin, I gave
Myself to providence and I've
Been there and back again
The state that I am in.

Oh love of mine, would you condescend to help me?
Cause I am stupid and blind
Desperation is the Devil's work, it is the folly Of a boy's empty mind
Oh and now I'm feeling dangerous
Riding on city buses for a hobby is sad
Why don't you lead me to a living end
I promised that I'd entertain my crippled friend,
My crippled friend.

I gave myself to sin, I gave
Myself to providence and I've
Been there and back again
The state that I am in.

I gave myself to sin, I gave
Myself to providence and I've
Been there and back again
The state that I am in.

I gave myself to sin, I gave
Myself to providence and I've
Been there and back again
The state that I am in.

I gave myself to sin, I gave
Myself to providence and I've
Been there and back again
The state that I am in.

I gave myself to sin
And I've been there and back again
Oh yeah


Lyrics submitted by girlboyrevolt, edited by Mellow_Harsher

The State I Am In Lyrics as written by Isobel Campbell Christopher Geddes

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Hipgnosis Songs Group

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The State I Am In song meanings
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29 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    I love this song. The line, "So I gave myself to god, There was a pregnant pause before he said ok" is just brilliant. I like the green card marriage reference, too.

    bottledlifeon December 14, 2005   Link

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