its amazing how far music can come.. 24 years after it released and its one of the most heartfelt songs ive heard
(Warren Zevon)
I had the shit till it all got smoked
I kept the promise till the vow got broke
I had to drink from the lovin' cup
I stood on the banks till the river rose up
I saw the bride in her wedding gown
I was in the house when the house burned down
I may be old and I may be bent
But I had the money till it all got spent
I had the money till they made me pay
Then I had the sense to be on my way
I had to stay in the underground
I was in the house when the house burned down
I was in the house when the house burned down
I met the man with the thorny crown
I helped Him carry his cross through town
I was in the house when the house burned down
I was in the house when the house burned down
I met the man with the thorny crown
I helped Him carry his cross through town
I was in the house when the house burned down
I had the shit till it all got smoked
I kept the promise till the vow got broke
I had to drink from the lovin' cup
I stood on the banks till the river rose up
I saw the bride in her wedding gown
I was in the house when the house burned down
I had the shit till it all got smoked
I kept the promise till the vow got broke
I had to drink from the lovin' cup
I stood on the banks till the river rose up
I saw the bride in her wedding gown
I was in the house when the house burned down
I may be old and I may be bent
But I had the money till it all got spent
I had the money till they made me pay
Then I had the sense to be on my way
I had to stay in the underground
I was in the house when the house burned down
I was in the house when the house burned down
I met the man with the thorny crown
I helped Him carry his cross through town
I was in the house when the house burned down
I was in the house when the house burned down
I met the man with the thorny crown
I helped Him carry his cross through town
I was in the house when the house burned down
I had the shit till it all got smoked
I kept the promise till the vow got broke
I had to drink from the lovin' cup
I stood on the banks till the river rose up
I saw the bride in her wedding gown
I was in the house when the house burned down
Lyrics submitted by TaddyTeddy
I Was in the House When the House Burned Down Lyrics as written by Warren Zevon
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
The lyrics are
"I kept the promise ‘til the vow got broke" and "I met the man with the thorny crown"
A great piece. I discovered this song shortly after Mr. Zevons' passing, and it quickly joined such greats as "Lawyers, Guns, & Money", "Seminole Bingo", and "Mr. Bad Example" in my hit list of favorites.
This is a great track, and i think the best representation in his catalogue of his penchant for lyrics about the aftermath of a sex and drugs rock lifestyle. even his earliest songs reflect the tired manicness of a rock star at the end of a career, cleaning up after himself and anticipating death. you'll not find a better example than this track.
To note: Warren Zevon died of Mesothelioma, the cause of which was not determined to have anything to do with his (numerous) excesses.
He did die early, but he lived much longer than his prognosis initially gave him.
A few notes: Warren said this song was written for his friend David Crosby, as already noted it's vow not valve (hehe, scuze me while I kiss this guy.. anyone) and it considered a bad omen to see the bride in her wedding gown. So this is could be considered a survivors song.
Yeah, it was for David Crosby, and I think Crosby actually performed it in one of his concerts.
The lyrics are
"I kept the promise ‘til the vow got broke" and "I met the man with the thorny crown"
sorry, to continue, consider songs like "Burning Down the House" in which the rock lifestyle is glorified and danced to. This song is like, "Yeah, you think that's swell, think about it. you're likely to be caught in the house you're burning down." which Warren was. because of his rock excesses his life was spent in and out of rehab, and he died at an early age.