Hospital Vespers

The three songs in this trilogy are written in sonnet form (though this song’s second stanza has two lines instead of the usual four). The last couplet in a sonnet is often used as a “volta,” or turning point, which is why they’re so hard-hitting/revealing. Cussing incredible work, lyrically and musically.

"Politics of Lonely"... Does anyone know what that is? Is it another witty line from Samson, or is it something concrete, like a book, or such?

Ever since this song, my friends and I randomly yell Yahtzee...

Wow what a great song, the first one ive heard from them so far and they're excellent, im gettin more asap. Also whoever is posting lyrics for this band make sure its in Lyric format, NOT Essay format, ive noticed a lot in essay

As far as I know, the "Politics of Lonely" does not exist. But keep in mind The Weakerthans are from Canada...if that means anything...And the lyrics are in "essay" format because that is how they are in the booklet that comes with the cd. And since John K. Samson feels they should be written that way, it is probably best. I like that this song is the second in what seems to be a song trilogy...or something like that. Begining with (Manifest) and ending sadly with (Past-Due). All very touching songs, best when listened to one after another.

when i fisrt bought "reconstruction site" id usually skip this song, finally i read the lyrics and i got goosebumps. now its one of my favorites!

this song makes me sad. it's eery.

I think The Weakerthans are lyrical geniuses and this song is just amazing. But the thing that intrigued me the most was the song trilogy of (Manifest), this song and (Past-Due). I wonder exactly what the motivation or inspiration or particular meaning behind doing this was. But in each one of the three songs, it's the last line that always seems to be the most profound.

The last line never fails to give me goosebumps.

1ofaBRUTALkind "As far as I know, the "Politics of Lonely" does not exist."

My friend and I asked John at a show, apparently it was the title of a chapter in one of the explorer books (hopper and the arctic).

This whole album is about an amazing story, of loss and reconstruction and moving on. It's the events as they occur in life, with death in the background. Hospital Vespers, Past Due and Manifest are about the same person, someone who is dying, or in the process of fighting a disease, who is very dear to the speaker. Obviously, that person dies (Past Due) but the CD begins with a tone of hope, saying "I'm permitted one act I can save, I choose to sit here next to you and wave." By the time "Hospital Vespers" rolls around, the person who we have been sitting next to is slowly decaying, and desperately needs to feel the privacy of spirituality. So we (the singer, the voice of the song) come visit this person in a hospital and turn off the ever-watching nurse's camera, so that they can have one last private moment. It's so heart-wrenching I have cried listening to it. I've cried because the story really reminds me of my only brother, dying of cancer. How we supported him, saw him decay and then finally with the funeral and the obituaries.

John Samsom is an amazing songwriter and much underapreciated.