Time takes care of the wound
So I can believe
You had so much to give
You thought I couldn't see

Gifts for boot heels to crush
Promises deceived
I had to send it away
To bring us back again

Your eyes and body brighten
Silent waters, deep
Your precious daughter in the
Other room, asleep

A kiss goodnight from every
Stranger that I meet
I had to send it away
To bring us back again

Morning theft
Unpretender left
Ungraceful

True self is what
Brought you here, to me
A place where we can
Accept this love

Friendship battered down by
Useless history
Unexamined failure

But what am I still to you
Some thief who stole from you?
Or, some fool drama queen
Whose chances were few?

That brings us to who we need
A place where we can save
A heart that beats as
Both siphon and reservoir

You're a woman, I'm a calf
You're a window, I'm a knife
We come together
Making chance in the starlight

Meet me tomorrow night
Or any day you want
I have no right to wonder
Just how, or when

You know the meaning fits
There's no relief in this
I miss my beautiful friend

I have to send it away
To bring her back again


Lyrics submitted by weezerific:cutlery, edited by Charmskool, warren1059

Morning Theft Lyrics as written by Jeff Buckley

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Morning Theft song meanings
Add Your Thoughts

53 Comments

sort form View by:
  • +4
    General Comment

    To grab your attention... the woman Jeff wrote this about wrote a song about him also but I believe Morning Theft is an answer to her song. The name of it is at the end of this note.
    Some of you are off and some aren't but the reason why Jeff never wanted his lyrics released was because he wanted the song to mean whatever the listener wanted or heard. According to the book Dream Brother, this song has references to two of Jeff's former girlfriends... Rebecca Moore and Liz Frasier. Many of Jeff's songs on Grace are about Rebecca but Morning Theft's line, Your precious daughter in the other room asleep is about Liz's girl. Liz is an astounding singer from the bands This Mortal Coil and the Cocteau Twins whom were some of Jeff's favorite bands. Liz wrote and sang a song called Rilkean Heart which is about Jeff and their romance. You must listen to it. The better version is on the Twinlights EP.

    jrw1980on April 29, 2008   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    It's hard to pin down an exact meaning to any of Jeff's songs. The meaning is conveyed much more in the overall product than in the lyrics by themselves. And his lyrics weave this kinda of web of poetic imagery and raw, abstract, emotion. I get out of this that the singer obviously really cares about this woman, but he's fucked things up a few times. He's asking for a second chance or maybe a third or fourth chance. "Sending it away" I believe refers to giving himself over completely to her. He's giving her the upper hand because he admits that he does not deserve it.

    GentleDogson December 21, 2004   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    This is my absolute favorite Jeff Buckkley song. I got lyrics tatooted on my leg!

    Love brings us to who we need.

    That is so true!

    ew78on May 14, 2009   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    I definitely believe this song is about Elizabeth Fraser as someone mentioned, especially after reading about her. She has deep regrets about their relationship... as she said she has to learn to forgive herself. Fraser says how she regrets not being there for him, as she was constantly touring and busy. No doubt Jeff must have been wrapped up in his own business ("A kiss goodnight from every stranger that I meet"). Their relationship was described as a very personal intimate relationship--whatever level that may be. And she does have a daughter from a previous relationship. By the time Jeff died, they had drifted as friends. I think Jeff is saying how if he wanted that friendship back, he needed to send away all the things of life, the craziness of the music business, etc. to regain what he had found with her.

    It's such a beautiful song. I am constantly floored at the sheer poetry of his lyrics.

    kookiecutteron February 23, 2010   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    "and though the meaning fits, there's no relief in this, I miss my beautiful friend." Oh shit! I can relate to that so much!

    Little_Baby_Nothingon August 11, 2002   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    I think Jeff was always underestimated as a writer, he was really good at writing words.

    Jonsion December 11, 2004   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    this song IS about the strong feelings you develop for somebody who was once your friend...and how difficult it is to return to being "friends" after you are involved. from my understanding jeff is making reference to Liz Fraser, singer for the Cocteau Twins. Both had a mutual admiration for one another and were later rumored to be lovers.

    the lyric "your precious daughter" refers to Liz' daughter.

    costeson May 15, 2006   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    ok ok I have to post this~ Iknow it's sad and just plain WRONG in my opinion that he is gone. But he is only gone in the physical sense. He is still very much here, he live son through his fans, his music, his loved ones.

    He wasn't one to be proudly hanging a lable on himself. "Alt. Rock Boy" "Tragic Beautiful Rockstar" so many I include mysel in that category tend to focus on the sadness and darkness we see in his music. But he was someone who LOVED LIFE!

    Although his life was short (by most standards) I am sure he live done hell of one! He did what he loved which was play music. He wanted to move his fans, touch them in any way possible and I'd say he has done that and continues to do that.

    Yeah sure he had issues but don't we all. I am sure he wouldn't want his fans sitting around and thiking about his "oh so tragic" death! He made a bad mistake a really fucking bad mistake. But is that all we remember??

    If any of you have read any books about him you'd know he had a huge heart and loved people, he had a great sense of humor and lived to make people laugh. He loved all types of music, rock, soul, jazz, country, reggea anything! He used music as a coping tool, as toy, as anythihg he wanted and he loved it.

    He got to travel, party, fall in love, play some beautiful music which continues to resonate w/ generations of new fans. I am sure he is looking down right now and is very pleased by how much his music means to people. Just remember he lived his life focus on that!!!

    VIVA BUCKLEY!!!!!!

    ~E~

    ew78on April 07, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    He was complex with his words. I don't think we will ever fully know the secrets in his life. We can speculate the daughter in the next room as his own. The woman he speaks of could be any. There is something almost priceless in not knowing all there is to know about him. It keeps us searching for answers.

    Songenvyon September 25, 2014   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    What a songwriter."A heart that beats as both siphon and reservoir".

    mattsaunderson January 13, 2002   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

More Featured Meanings

Album art
Bron-Y-Aur Stomp
Led Zeppelin
This is about bronies. They communicate by stomping.
Album art
Son Şansın - Şarkı Sözleri
Hayalperest
This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere. In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Album art
When We Were Young
Blink-182
This is a sequel to 2001's "Reckless Abandon", and features the band looking back on their clumsy youth fondly.
Album art
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example: "'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Album art
Blue
Ed Sheeran
“Blue” is a song about a love that is persisting in the discomfort of the person experiencing the emotion. Ed Sheeran reflects on love lost, and although he wishes his former partner find happiness, he cannot but admit his feelings are still very much there. He expresses the realization that he might never find another on this stringed instrumental by Aaron Dessner.