This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Father forgive me for I’ve been a sinner
Thought I was done but I’m still a beginner
It’s a game and I’m not the winner
Used to be blessed it was wide I was open
How does it feel to be heard and outspoken?
It’s all day but still just a moment
Is there anyone who knows
And anyone who would say?
Is there anyone who wants to feel or
Wants to be this way?
I’m just a little broke down
Just a little broke up
At the fact that I can’t even
Ever explain
Everything if I made this right
I’m just a little tore up
And a little tore down
It’s a fact that I won’t even
Have to wait anything
To make this right
Said that it was only a matter before
I know your way
I know you need more
So we can try
And we kiss it goodbye
Let it go
If there’s anyone who knows
And anyone who would care
If anyone who can help me try to
Get me back to there
I’m just a little broke down
Just a little broke up
At the fact
That I can’t even ever explain
Everything if I
Made this right
I’m just a little tore up
And a little tore down
It’s a fact that I won’t even
Have to wait anything to
Make this right
What have I become?
What have I done?
Why is this every day?
I wish I cared
Like I used to care
Every single day
I’m just a little broke down
Just a little broke up
At the fact that I can’t even
Ever explain everything if I
Made this right
I’m just a little tore up
And a little tore down
It’s a fact that I won’t even
Have to wait anything to
Make this right
Thought I was done but I’m still a beginner
It’s a game and I’m not the winner
Used to be blessed it was wide I was open
How does it feel to be heard and outspoken?
It’s all day but still just a moment
Is there anyone who knows
And anyone who would say?
Is there anyone who wants to feel or
Wants to be this way?
I’m just a little broke down
Just a little broke up
At the fact that I can’t even
Ever explain
Everything if I made this right
I’m just a little tore up
And a little tore down
It’s a fact that I won’t even
Have to wait anything
To make this right
Said that it was only a matter before
I know your way
I know you need more
So we can try
And we kiss it goodbye
Let it go
If there’s anyone who knows
And anyone who would care
If anyone who can help me try to
Get me back to there
I’m just a little broke down
Just a little broke up
At the fact
That I can’t even ever explain
Everything if I
Made this right
I’m just a little tore up
And a little tore down
It’s a fact that I won’t even
Have to wait anything to
Make this right
What have I become?
What have I done?
Why is this every day?
I wish I cared
Like I used to care
Every single day
I’m just a little broke down
Just a little broke up
At the fact that I can’t even
Ever explain everything if I
Made this right
I’m just a little tore up
And a little tore down
It’s a fact that I won’t even
Have to wait anything to
Make this right
Lyrics submitted by Mellow_Harsher
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