Hair shirts were scratchy woolen undergarments worn from the 13 century to about the 15th by religiously pentitant people. There were a form of self flagellation who used to believe that suffering brought you closer to God. I see a relationship in this song that is finally over. The singer is finally removing his Hair shirt, giving up on suffering in hopes of regaining his love.
a couple of years before spliting with my wife we shared the beauty of this track. I particularly love the line 'run a carbon black test on my jaw, and you will find its all been said before' Rather poignant at the time...
What a beautiful song. I like Stipe singing like this.. Can't believe the lack of comments on this one and on R.E.M. generally. They're the best :-)
beautiful song, reminds me of everything good ive ever experiences
I think this song is about how a relationship with your partner is never in a constant parallel, but will always have it's ups and downs.
Maybe a feeling he had after an argument? .... hanging your hairshirt, or hanging up your self punishment and getting over it and still feeling glad that your partner is still in your life, regardless how awkward things might get.
"run a carbon black test on my jaw" this is a test they use to determine the life of a tree (could be wrong about that) or what kind of life the tree had.
great song.
@rubberneck Stipe could twist ambiguities into crystalised structures to beguile with the enigmatic A true Poet
@rubberneck Stipe could twist ambiguities into crystalised structures to beguile with the enigmatic A true Poet
whenever I would feel guilty about something, my grandma would tell me not to wear a hair shirt...she said it meant not to be a martyr. I just saw this song and had to check it out. :)
As someone commented, a hairshirt was a garment of self imposed punishment. Michael Stipe is gay and likely went through years of isolation, confusion, hiding and loneliness all his life….until he hung it up …freed himself…and became at peace with his love and life. Absolutely beautiful song in every way. Applies to anything anyone ever needs to quit to finally see the beautiful light and life.