Where the workers stand in querulous rows awaiting dislocation
I will be there too
When you're cashing in your food stamps
When you're sleeping in a cattle train

I'll be with you
Pushing up against the ticket counter window face against the glass
Bleeding from the waist and kissing to be chaste
It is said that those who will not rest have been cursed

To tramp like soldiers through the marshes
Or that blessed are the ones who leave the stage
Like babies falling fast asleep
So I twice am cursed and twice am stuck

Affixed to this corner of the earth.
That old river keeps on rolling but the old man doesn't see it,
He just stands there with his eyes closed
Asking "Where'd you go?" "Where'd you go?"

So wherever you may sleep tonight,
Be it bed or bedrock, home, or open field:
When you begin to yield, then, whatever you have taken as your pillow,
May it serve as mine as well.

Underneath the weeping willow I will wait for you forever,
My eyes forever closed, asking "Where'd you go?" "Where'd you go?"


Lyrics submitted by delial

Babies Falling Lyrics as written by

Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING

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Babies Falling song meanings
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3 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment

    These lyrics are so beautiful. Originally by The Wild Stares, I've heard. I really wish I had written these lines.

    labute61191on February 27, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Definitely about a dead lover stuck on Earth, but unable to communicate. "It is said that those who will not rest have been cursed to tramp like soldiers through the marshes" - she is bound to this in-between state of mortality, trapped in an invisible dimension, forced to watch the one she loves mourn her.

    "Or that blessed are the ones who leave the stage like babies falling fast asleep." Could mean two things: it's lucky if you die and get out of this life, or she's jealous of those who have been able to move on past reality and let go of their pain.

    "That old river keeps on rolling but the old man doesn't see it, he just stands there with his eyes closed asking: 'where'd you go? Where'd you go?' " - She's always by his side, but he can't see her. She's not there physically. He misses her so much, and little does he know that she's still with him, suffering too.

    "so wherever you may sleep tonight, be it bed or bedrock, home, or open field, when your breathing slows and your eyes are closed and you begin to yield, then whatever you have taken as your pillow may it serve as mine as well. underneath the weeping willow I will wait for you forever, my eyes forever closed asking: 'where'd you go? where'd you go?' "

    This can either be restating the concept of her being with him always, or it can mean something else. She's with him the most while he's dreaming? She'll be with him while he's dying? And then there's the end, the saddest part...she yearns to talk to him, to reunite with him, to let him know she's there and that she loves him...but all she can do is be a silent observer, and wait. Wait for him to catch up to her. Maybe she finally accepts that and ends up freeing herself. Maybe not.

    Aquarius121on March 14, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Aquarius121 you put it beautifully. Like a photon of light she desperately wants to unpin herself from the burden she is under, from time, time away from us. Just so we can see her she stays put. Maybe, did I find the right words?

    genericdudeon April 16, 2015   Link

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