This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
I could see the pain in your eyes.
I wish I could prove this truth absolute. I want to heal you. It is me. I am sorry.
Sister of mercy to free me, trace my past beyond what I see.
Your God promised to save me. God forgot.
Needle puncturing skin, tell the tales of where I have been.
Please love, trace my soul never to let my memory go.
Murder in every world, there has got to be someone who understands me.
I was looking for myself.
Asking everyone except myself the questions which I and only I could answer.
Reflections in the skin, release the flowing stream.
The agony we call living.
The bloodletting I call me.
I will never fall down.
I wish I could prove this truth absolute. I want to heal you. It is me. I am sorry.
Sister of mercy to free me, trace my past beyond what I see.
Your God promised to save me. God forgot.
Needle puncturing skin, tell the tales of where I have been.
Please love, trace my soul never to let my memory go.
Murder in every world, there has got to be someone who understands me.
I was looking for myself.
Asking everyone except myself the questions which I and only I could answer.
Reflections in the skin, release the flowing stream.
The agony we call living.
The bloodletting I call me.
I will never fall down.
Lyrics submitted by usernameistaken
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