Seamstress Lyrics
In a box beneath my bed
Little beast had broke her jaw
And I tried to fix her head
They said I had to put her back
That I had to put her back exactly where I found her
But I know I saw
That she was doing good, until the cat got her
But my pen was full of hymns
I came to drown a sorrow
It seems they've learned to swim
Mouth full of pins and heart pumping gasoline
It's late
I'm still at the sewing machine
Stitching up strays fifteen years
But this one's mean
Well I fixed you up
When they said you were past repair
And I stitched you up
I thread a needle with my hair
And I fixed you up
When you were still a common sparrow
But look who's on the shoulder now when the road goes narrow
In a box beneath my bed
Little bitch had broke her jaw
And I tried to fix her head
They said I had to put her back
That I had to put her back exactly where I found her
But I know I saw
That she was doing good, until the cat got her
We ain't got much but we've got history
It was a mercy kill
No
It was a suicide
No
It was an accident
No
Well at least I tried
Tough love and tape measure
Stitching up boys is different that way
You fix a bird, you buy a cage
You fix a man
You fix a man, and he flies away
I couldn't let go
But that's not sewing, that's
That's just poking holes
And it's a strange breed
A different kind of creature
Looks for love through the eye of a needle
But the creed of the seamstress is
That you're pretty in pieces
In a box beneath my bed
Little beast had broke her jaw
And I tried to fix her head
They said I had to put her back
That I had to put her back exactly where I found her
But I know I saw
She was doing good, until the cat got her
Busted, back's been broke for days
Not much, little something for the pain
Don't fuss, or I'll never get a seam to lay straight
And I keep it clean as I can with just
Just the machine and the mattress plus
I never did need for a pattern, just
Some good restraints and my bedside manner
But that's not sewing, that's
That's just poking holes
When I ran out of thread, I couldn't let go
But that's not sewing, that's
That's just poking holes
Great song, very intense delivery and production. I think it's at least partly about men with problems who use the speaker for emotional/sexual support and then leave when they've "had enough." She can't let go -- and "that's just poking holes," hurting herself unnecessarily instead of mending.
I agree with your interpretation. Sad isn't it...using people and all. Have to wonder why people do that. I guess it's for the payoff.
I agree with your interpretation. Sad isn't it...using people and all. Have to wonder why people do that. I guess it's for the payoff.
I believe the correct lyrics to the final verse are:
Take a seat and let me get a look at your face Busted, back's been broke for days Not much, little something for the pain Don't fuss or I'll never get a seam to lay straight And I keep it clean as I can with just Just the machine and a mattress plus I never did need for a pattern Just some good restraints and my bedside manner