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Sympathy Lyrics

I know I come to you only when in need
I’m not the best believer, not the most deserving
but all I have, all I am, all I can … for him
I’d beg you on bended knees for him

Precious baby, is your life hanging by a thread?
A thread I’m standing on, praying on today
all I have, all I am, all I can… for him
I’d beg you on bended knees for him

I’ve got this curse in my hands (2x)
all I touch fades to black
turns to dust, turns to sand
I’ve got this curse on my tongue (2x)
all I taste is the rust
this decay in my blood

I don’t like the doctor with the deep long face
only wants to give us the very worst case
I’d rather shout out and shake him and do anything for him
well I’d, I’d beg you on bended knees for him

I’ve got this curse in my hands (2x)
all I touch fades to black
turns to dust, turns to sand
I’ve got this curse on my tongue (2x)
all I taste is the rust
this decay in my blood

when the moment strikes
it takes you by surprise and
leaves you naked in the face of death and life
there is no righteousness in your darkest moment
we’re all equal in the face of what we’re most afraid of
and I’m so sorry
for those who didn’t make it
for the mommies who are left with their hearts breaking

I search for meaning in sores
the sentences they might form
it’s the grammar of skin
peel it back, let me in
look for hope in the dark
the shadow cast by your heart
it’s the grammar of faith
no more rules, no restraint

How angry I would be if you’d taken him away
I wish I was wiser but instead I’ll be grateful, I’ll say
thanks for the love, for the joy, for the smile on his face
’cause I would beg you on bended knees for him
I would beg you on bended knee
Song Info
Submitted by
light_rail_coyote On Oct 16, 2002
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Cover art for Sympathy lyrics by Sleater-Kinney

This is a beautiful song that Corin wrote when her son, Marshall, was born premature. Once you know that, the meaning is pretty straightforward, but even so, the words and phrases are just so wonderful. "It's the grammar of skin / Peel it back, let me in." Anyone could write a song about her child, but how many could do it so graciously and at the same time with such depth and intensity?

Cover art for Sympathy lyrics by Sleater-Kinney

I saw S-K perform Sympathy wile touring The Woods. It was incredible. Corin started crying and couldn’t get the words out so Janet helped her by singing along.

I think it's such a powerful song because you get to experience the intensity of Corin's pain. How often do you get to witness someone praying, begging, thanking their god like this? It’s intimate. You actually feel her self-loathing, her fear, her anger, her maternity, her helplessness; and it’s so powerful it’s almost overwhelming. This song makes me cry.

Cover art for Sympathy lyrics by Sleater-Kinney

seems like a pretty grateful, celebratory, song performed! A lot of desperation but that sounds so close to shouted-out joy, sometimes.

Cover art for Sympathy lyrics by Sleater-Kinney

People love to sing-along on this one, and clap, at the live shows. This is such a great song, and one you can't really get from anywhere else than female bands ;)

Cover art for Sympathy lyrics by Sleater-Kinney

This song is incredible, this song moves me and Corin's voice makes me cry sometime. This is so intense and deeply moving, I heart her.