Dear darkness, dear darkness
Won't you cover, cover me again?
Dear darkness, dear
I've been your friend for many years

Won't you do this for me, dearest darkness?
And cover me from the sound
Of the words tightening
The words are tightening around my throat and, and

Around the throat of the one I love
The tightening, tightening, tightening
Around the throat of the one I love
The tightening, tightening, tightening

Dear darkness, dear darkness
Now it's your time to look after us
'Cause we kept you cloved, we kept you in business
When everyone else was having good luck

So now it's your time, time to pay
To pay me and the one I love
With the worldly goods you stashed away
With all the things you took from us


Lyrics submitted by stentorian, edited by xaml

Dear Darkness song meanings
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9 Comments

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  • +2
    General Comment

    I love how she breaks the cliches of sun/happiness, darkness/sadness yes, darkness can be an even more beautiful place, as when you are alone and you are safeguarded from the world

    simonhoyoson March 02, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    my impression is that this song is a sort of prayer...white chalk is such an amazing album.

    birba.mozzon October 12, 2008   Link
  • +1
    Song Meaning

    i think it has a few different meanings.. on one hand, it sounds like shes making a bargain with the devil/darkness. shes pleeing her faithfulness and friendship because her and her lover person are having struggles. seemingly financial struggles.

    but when i first hear it.. it feels like shes extremely depressed, wanting to be saved from misery. and darkness has been her friend for so long, which has burdened her.

    the words are tightening around my throat ~ its not easy to say, beg, ask, bargain.

    it feels so dire, beautiful, and melancholy. I really didnt like White Chalk. But i love this song.

    lemona9on January 11, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    She's had a lot of bad luck and she's asking for some good luck now:

    "Now it's your time to look after us Cause we kept your clothes, we kept your business When everyone else was having good luck So now it's your time, time to pay To pay me and the one I love With the worldly goods you stashed away With all the things you took from us. "

    missmeon February 26, 2009   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation

    I'm prrrretty sure she's saying "we kept you in business" rather than "we kept your business." That's how it sounds to me, especially in live recordings.

    reblindon August 22, 2014   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this song i so powerful... amazing words

    rachitekton September 12, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    this song i so powerful... amazing words

    rachitekton September 12, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I think it#s not the tightening the tightening.......but if you listen closely she is more likely saying the timing the typing the tightening...... this is one of the best songs she has ever written.......

    teignmouthon November 13, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    White Chalk really is an amazing album. I want to cry everytime I hear it because it's so wonderful.

    jade_jade_jadeon November 07, 2008   Link

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