Baby Sister

This is such a sad song. I think the lyrics speak for themselves.

i think its more haunting than sad... the ave maria just adds to the depressing beauty

I think (if you wanna' dig pretty deep) that the repetition of the music is perfect. It is just the right portrayal of how she is stuck in this place and can't escape, can't change.

This song to me is clearly about sexual abuse:

"Did he fill your cup? Baby sister, keep drinking
Or he'll hit you He'll bleach your eyes"

I think that's all pretty self-explanatory. I find the use of the verb "bleach" as a metaphor for coming particularly clever / beautiful (sad beauty, of course).

Oh yeah, and I think the "Ave Maria..." emphasises the baby sister's innocence / virginity if it had not been for her abusive father, seeing as "Ave Maria..." is meant to praise the Virgin Mary.

Oh yeah, and I think the "Ave Maria..." emphasises the baby sister's innocence / virginity if it had not been for her abusive father, seeing as "Ave Maria..." is meant to praise the Virgin Mary.

Wow, this song is so sad. I deffinetly agree that its about sexual abuse. I love that Damien Rice sings these beautiful (and often heartbreaking) songs that people can relate to. I personally dont relate to this song but someone else out there probably can.

a song he wrote when he was still in the band Juniper (who later became Bell X1).

I agree.

I could be wrong but I've always thought this song was partially about abuse. Maybe a brother encouraging his little sister to keep her head down, get on with things and "be a good girl" because their Dad is a bully.

"Baby sister, wash your hands Or he'll beat you" This strikes me as a scene where a very controlling father wants his family to be perfect and won't settle for less. And even if one of them do the slightest thing wrong, he'll beat them.

"And read your books" He's telling her to keep her head down and in a book. To avoid confrontation.

It's such a haunting song. I always think a dull, dark house that has no TV, or music and any entertainment. Where the kids have to follow strict rules and do completely as they're told. I also think the father is religious because of the "Ave Maria" reference.

But I could be completely wrong. In fact, I think I am, though that is my interpretation.