Arnica might take out the throes that I threw in my head
Bruno, your wife shakes the bedclothes as she makes up your bed

I'm tired of life, I'm tired of waiting for someone
I'm tired of prices, I'm tired of waiting for something

I have a right to know what's in store, to know what should be said
Could I have it all, could I have you for a night in the warmth of your bed?

I'm tired of life, I'm tired of waiting for someone
I'm tired of prices, I'm tired of waiting for something
I'm tired of life, I'm tired of life
I'm tired of life, I'm tired of life
I'm tired of life, I'm tired of life

Oh be patient with me, for the night weighs on my chest with a terrible storm
Though we may disagree on how things should be done, on how crisis is born
Don't consider it done, wait until Leviathan lovingly creeps in your sill
For he waits in the dark, brooding magically, mustering paperback feelings

No I'm not afraid of death or strife or injury, accidents, they are my friends


Lyrics submitted by lesea, edited by WhisperinPines

Arnika Lyrics as written by Sufjan Stevens

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

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Arnika song meanings
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    General Comment

    I'm pretty sure this song is about suicide. Arnica is a plant that can cause you to die. Normally I hate when people always think that complex songs such as this one have something to do with religion but Sufjan is known for that theme. With that said, Leviathan is a sea creature used by christians as the image of hell or one of its monsters. (I'm not saying this as a preachy christian, in fact I am Atheist who knows a lot about religion) When I hear this song I imagine it is him convincing someone that he wants to go this way. Mostly because of the line where he says they disagree on how to deal with a crisis. I wouldn't put the issue of suicide past him even though it seems rather intense. A lot of his songs are that way. They deal with issues hardly touched so deeply in music. i.e. John Wayne Gacy. This song is terribly haunting and beautiful. I love the sound of the rope swinging. And I mean that in the least morbid way. It's so creative.

    iamcharlatanon February 27, 2011   Link

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