Well, courtesans
Shed no tears
When you leave them high and dry
They just go on,
They just go on
To the next day

'Cause courtesans
Only want
Compensation for their time
A few kind words, a few kind words
They need not one

A simple coat maybe a hat
How I wish I could be like that

But courtesans
Are not like me
They don't take love very hard
Their hearts are free,
Their hearts are free
How avant-garde

If no one loves them when they're old
They'll sit and count their chains of gold

You say you'll love them 'til they die
And they don't care if it's a lie

'Cause courtesans
Don't believe
In anybody but themselves
And Santa Claus,
And Santa Claus
And his twelve elves


Lyrics submitted by prayingmantis84

Courtesans Lyrics as written by

Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING

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Courtesans song meanings
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4 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment

    One of my favorite songs by them. It is about prostitutes, and the music fits it perfectly. The whole song has a mellow empty feeling and that matches the ironic lyrics. The whole song sounds like someone trying to convince themselves that courtesans live happy lives, when in reality, they are sad and empty. The Magnetic Fields are one of the few bands that can pull off irony well, and this song definitely demonstrates that.

    daviebyrneon July 01, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    It's a simple song, but so beautiful. I can't stop listening to it

    cutaneousenseson July 25, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Courtesan is an old-fashioned word that means prostitute. You can listen to the song and try to think of it in that light. It makes sense in some parts that way (like "They don't take love very hard/their hearts are free", "they just go on to the next guy").

    Pippin the Mercuryon March 14, 2009   Link
  • 0
    Song Meaning

    "But courtesans are not like me..." In light of the rest of the lyrics, these two lines are all that's needed for us to hear the story.

    tngjs0on March 30, 2010   Link

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