Sorrow's child sits by the river
Sorrow's child hears not the water
Sorrow's child sits by the river
Sorrow's child hears not the water
And just when you feel as though
You've got strength enough to stand
(Sorrow's child) sorrow's child all weak and strange
Stands waiting at your hand

Sorrow's child steps in the water
Sorrow's child you follow after
Sorrow's child wades in deeper
Sorrow's child invites you under
And just when you thought as though
All your tears were wept and done
(Sorrow's child) sorrow's child grieves not what has passed
But all the past still yet to come

Sorrow's child sits by the water
Sorrow's child your arms enfold her
Sorrow's child you're loathe to befriend her
Sorrow's child but in sorrow surrender
And just when is seems as though
All your tears were at an end
(Sorrow's child) sorrow's child lifts up her hand
And she brings it down again

(Sorrow's child)
(Sorrow's child)

(Sorrow's child)
(Sorrow's child)

(Sorrow's child)
(Sorrow's child)

(Sorrow's child)


Lyrics submitted by Dressed2Depress, edited by trillium8

Sorrow's Child Lyrics as written by Nicholas Cave

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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Sorrow's Child song meanings
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  • +1
    General Comment

    Firstly, i love this song. It's a really sad song on an album that isn't drowning in sorrow - which makes it a standout for me. The piano in this song could, as they say, melt marble. Make me want to burst into tears.

    As far as the girl commiting suicide - i don't think this song is as cut and dry as that. And if it is that plain, i would imagine the person committing the suicide would be the person giving into sorrow's child, not sorrow's child itself, which i don't believe to be an actual person at all, but the personification of an emotion, or a situation causing you to give into sorrow, and then perhaps ULTIMATELY suicide.

    Maybe sorrow's child IS suicide - suicide is certainly something you could claim sorrow gives birth to - and in that context the song takes on a slighty different perspective.

    I don't know though - seems too thin. Would like to hear some other thoughts to that, but i doubt anyone'll be looking up Sorrow's Child anytime soon - people seem to angle more towards his newer songs or his hits. Damn shame - First, Born, Your Funeral and Tender Prey have lots of fantastic songs - back Nick used to write about more interesting things than compiling lists of flowers and philosophers.

    StickityWicketon July 03, 2008   Link

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