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 think we're coming to a standstill
I think you're magic with your strong will
But this is love and not justice
He's hurting everything he touches
You cannot carry what he clutches
He needs a mother and confession
And he does not tell you-you are precious
Well how about some love and charity
A sense that you are family
I'd like to help but you're on fire
How about some peace and honesty
Some hard-core hope and clarity
You are a precious girl on fire
I think we're coming to a standstill
I think you're magic with your strong will
But this is love and not justice
He's hurting everything he touches
You cannot carry what he clutches
He needs a father and some healing
And he forgets his own words
Well how about some love and charity
A sense that you are family
I'd like to help but you're on fire
How about respect and dignity
Some hard-core hope and charity
You are a precious girl on fire
And there is so much in forgiveness
But he is sticking with his business
How about some love and charity
A sense that you are family
You are a precious girl on fire
You are a careful mystery
Not someone's sweet commodity
You are a precious girl on fire
On fire
I think you're magic with your strong will
But this is love and not justice
He's hurting everything he touches
You cannot carry what he clutches
He needs a mother and confession
And he does not tell you-you are precious
Well how about some love and charity
A sense that you are family
I'd like to help but you're on fire
How about some peace and honesty
Some hard-core hope and clarity
You are a precious girl on fire
I think we're coming to a standstill
I think you're magic with your strong will
But this is love and not justice
He's hurting everything he touches
You cannot carry what he clutches
He needs a father and some healing
And he forgets his own words
Well how about some love and charity
A sense that you are family
I'd like to help but you're on fire
How about respect and dignity
Some hard-core hope and charity
You are a precious girl on fire
And there is so much in forgiveness
But he is sticking with his business
How about some love and charity
A sense that you are family
You are a precious girl on fire
You are a careful mystery
Not someone's sweet commodity
You are a precious girl on fire
On fire
Lyrics submitted by glitterbits333
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