What Sin Lyrics
I wanna know, right now
Tell me what sin replaces love
I wanna know, right now
Imagine yourself on a mountain
Mountain discovered with flowers
Flowers discolored with horses
Horses distracted by stones
Stone distrusted with me
Then you might know what I mean
'Cause I want to kick love right in its gut
Beat it and leave for dead
Wash my hands in the river
Lie down and die in your bed
(repeat 1st and 2nd verses)
The voice on the receiver
Baby cry howlin' in the wind
I don't wanna beg for your mercy
I wanna know right know, what sin
Tell me what sin replaces love
I wanna know, right now
Amen to melancholyien. Definitely an affair.
Does the mountain, horses, flowers imagery remind anyone else of How Do You Keep Love Alive? I don’t know, they’re very different songs, but still.
this is awesome live. i think he enjoys playing it a lot.
"I want to kick love right in its gut Beat it and leave for dead Wash my hands in the river Lie down and die in your bed" --- omfg, so good.
This song is one of his recent bests played live. Fucking stellar.
To me, I think the meaning is obvious. He's having an affair. Wants out, afraid, unsure. Most have been there. The "sin" is the affair, the cheat. It might be he still loves the woman he is cheating on, feels bad ("I want to kick love right in its gut, beat it and leave for dead") but will ultimately go right back to the other woman (Wash my hands in the river; Lie down and die in your bed").
Classic song by the Man.
Jesus, this song is so freakin' good live! If you've never heard this song live, there's one particular YouTube video that captures most of the raw emotion and talent of Ryan Adams (Henry Rollins show version)... I highly recommend that you check that vid out.
The version of this during the 2007 tour at The Catalyst is mind-blowing.
Find here: https://archive.org/details/ra2007-07-21