You were the love
For certain of my life
You were simply my beloved wife
I don't know for certain
How I'll live my life
Now alone without my beloved wife
My beloved wife

I can't believe
I've lost the very best of me

You were the love
For certain of my life
You were simply my beloved wife
I don't know for certain
How I'll live my life
Now alone without my beloved wife
My beloved wife

I can't believe
I've lost the very best of me

You were the love
For certain of my life
For 50 years simply my beloved wife
With another love I'll never lye again
It's you I can't deny
It's you I can't defy
A depth so deep
Into my grief
Without my beloved soul
I renounce my life
As my right
Now alone without my beloved wife
My beloved wife

My beloved wife
My love is gone she suffered long
In hours of pain
My love is gone
Now my suffering begins
My love is gone
Would it be wrong if I should
Surrender all the joy in my life
Go with her tonight?

My love is gone she suffered long
In hours of pain
My love is gone
Would it be wrong if I should
Just turn my face away from the light
Go with her tonight?

Edit Lyrics

Lyrics submitted by kevin

Beloved Wife Lyrics as written by Natalie A Merchant

Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Beloved Wife song meanings

Add Your Thoughts

18 Comments

+4
General Comment
Of all the songs that Natalie Merchant has penned and sung, I find this one to be the most genuinely moving song. I think that it's the best song off her Tigerlily album, possibly her best song of all time. I love the emotions expressed within the lyrics of a man who desperately wants to be with the "beloved" wife that he has lost. You do get a sense that while he is grateful that her death means she will no longer have to suffer, he realizes that his suffering has just begun. I love the desperate feelings of love and longing that go into this song and the melodic and vocal elements that capture it perfectly. Great song. If you haven't heard it, I encourage you to please go out and get the album or at least download the song.

Of all the songs that Natalie Merchant has penned and sung, I find this one to be the most genuinely moving song. I think that it's the best song off her Tigerlily album, possibly her best song of all time. I love the emotions expressed within the lyrics of a man who desperately wants to be with the "beloved" wife that he has lost. You do get a sense that while he is grateful that her death means she will no longer have to suffer, he realizes that his suffering has just begun. I love the desperate feelings of love and longing that go into this song and the melodic and vocal elements that capture it perfectly. Great song. If you haven't heard it, I encourage you to please go out and get the album or at least download the song.

Reason:

ars musicaon April 26, 2003 Link
- No Replies Log in to reply
There was an error.

@ars musica
+2
General Comment
Both of you have it right, it is about a man whose wife of many years is sick and dying. It is actually about Natalie's mother and father, from her father's point of view. Very sad and beautiful song.

Both of you have it right, it is about a man whose wife of many years is sick and dying. It is actually about Natalie's mother and father, from her father's point of view. Very sad and beautiful song.

Reason:

jack_the_braton October 29, 2004 Link
- 2 Replies Log in to reply
There was an error.

@jack_the_brat

I am not sure that this song is about Natalie's mother and father - nor from her father's point of view. The parents divorced in 1972 - Natalie was born 1963. And her mother later remarried. So, it might be possibly about her mother's new husband?

domsvamon November 02, 2008

domsvram I found a link where they mention grandmother and grandfather. So not her mother/father but grandmother/father.

atkreison July 25, 2018
+2
General Comment
Beautiful, heartwrenching song.

Beautiful, heartwrenching song.

Reason:

with_your_kisson June 04, 2005 Link
- No Replies Log in to reply
There was an error.

@with_your_kiss
+1
General Comment
Well, this is cheery isn't it?

Well, this is cheery isn't it?

Reason:

Skoorbon January 08, 2008 Link
- No Replies Log in to reply
There was an error.

@Skoorb
+1
General Comment
i lost my wife four years ago and every day since i have prayed to be with her the only thing stopping me is the fact that suicide is a sin so i must suffer till i do get to go. this song hits the nail on the head and untill you have lost some one who was your reason for living i dont think you can fully understand how good this is

i lost my wife four years ago and every day since i have prayed to be with her the only thing stopping me is the fact that suicide is a sin so i must suffer till i do get to go. this song hits the nail on the head and untill you have lost some one who was your reason for living i dont think you can fully understand how good this is

Reason:

andycam95on October 03, 2012 Link
- 1 Reply Log in to reply
There was an error.

@andycam95

@andycam95 I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope you are doing a bit better now.

Bonnie1608on May 01, 2019
0
General Comment
When my mother was dying of cancer, I couldn't listen to this song. It made me think of what my dad was going through - living through his memories of her. Even now I find it hard to listen to it.

When my mother was dying of cancer, I couldn't listen to this song. It made me think of what my dad was going through - living through his memories of her. Even now I find it hard to listen to it.

Reason:

robman_84on November 29, 2004 Link
- No Replies Log in to reply
There was an error.

@robman_84
0
General Comment
This is love plain and simple. You can't explain love in words any more than through this song.

This is love plain and simple. You can't explain love in words any more than through this song.

Reason:

mrsdarthvaderon July 12, 2005 Link
- No Replies Log in to reply
There was an error.

@mrsdarthvader
0
General Comment
played this song on my sister funeral. In honor off my brother in law..........Not just a song.

played this song on my sister funeral. In honor off my brother in law..........Not just a song.

Reason:

megacleaneron August 10, 2006 Link
- No Replies Log in to reply
There was an error.

@megacleaner
0
General Comment
beautiful song...the piano in it is amazing....my teacher played it for us when we were writing poetry we had to write to someone. sweet song

beautiful song...the piano in it is amazing....my teacher played it for us when we were writing poetry we had to write to someone. sweet song

Reason:

sleeping_sun07on March 03, 2007 Link
- No Replies Log in to reply
There was an error.

@sleeping_sun07
0
General Comment
to now listen to this song after what jack the brat wrote makes me love it more.I was always wondering why she was singing from a male point of view ( though it was a cover maybe!!??) so now i know so thanks for sorting that out for me.

to now listen to this song after what jack the brat wrote makes me love it more.I was always wondering why she was singing from a male point of view ( though it was a cover maybe!!??) so now i know so thanks for sorting that out for me.

Reason:

evenfunnieron July 23, 2007 Link
- No Replies Log in to reply
There was an error.

@evenfunnier

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!

Beloved Wife

Natalie Merchant

18 Comments

Add your thoughts

Most popular lyric tags

More Natalie Merchant Lyrics