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Strange Mercy Lyrics

Oh little one I know you've been tired for a long, long time
And oh little one I ain't been around a little while
But when you see me, wait

Oh little one your Hemingway jawline looks just like his
Our father in exile
For God only knows how many years
But when you see him wave
through double pane
I'll be with you lost boys
Sneaking out where the shivers won't find you

Oh little one I'd tell you good news that I don't believe
If it would help you sleep
Strange mercy

If I ever meet that dirty policeman who roughed you up
No I don't know what
If I ever meet that dirty policeman who roughed you up

I'll be with you lost boys
Sneaking out where the shivers won't find you
10 Meanings

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Cover art for Strange Mercy lyrics by St. Vincent

I think she's singing "wave," but I'm not sure. It makes more sense to me: "wave through double pane."

Cover art for Strange Mercy lyrics by St. Vincent

This song is about someone talking to their child in prison. I really like the fact that live she says that dirty police man that fucked you up.

Cover art for Strange Mercy lyrics by St. Vincent

I don't know why, but that instrumental part after 1 minute 40 seconds makes me nostalgic. Don't get me wrong, I love it, I just feel sad when I hear it...

Yeah, that guitar riff is insanely gorgeous.

Cover art for Strange Mercy lyrics by St. Vincent

This is an amazing song.

Cover art for Strange Mercy lyrics by St. Vincent

And it's certainly "pane" and not "pain." It's through a window, as the father in the song is presumably in prison.

Cover art for Strange Mercy lyrics by St. Vincent

I think the song is being sung to a younger sibling who's father is in jail and Annie is playing the role of the older sister who's comforting the child by telling him/her things she doesn't believe. Strange mercy

Cover art for Strange Mercy lyrics by St. Vincent

Do it. Just do it. Big f-ing deal. Tired of threats...that's what this song is realmy about. Take it all so your little boat will float. You got the power. Woot. Woot.

Cover art for Strange Mercy lyrics by St. Vincent

This song speaks to me on so many different levels......

Cover art for Strange Mercy lyrics by St. Vincent

i think she's playing the role, not necessarily of a mother, but certainly of a guardian of some sort, and i'm tying it the context of some kind of imprisoned activist - the reference to police brutality, the hemingway jawline...

so, ultimately, i think it's a song of solidarity.

Cover art for Strange Mercy lyrics by St. Vincent

Hmm, I always thought it was "I'll follow in exile For God only knows how many years" or "I followed in exile For God only knows how many years o.o

And I am also pretty sure it is "I'll be with you lost boy, Sneaking out where the shivers won't find you" The S sound you here at the end of boy is her starting to say sneaking. She is clearly only talking to one person. She states "you" and "your" many times.

 
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