What ravages of spirit
Conjured this tempestuous rage
Created you a monster
Broken by the rule of love
And fate has led you through it
You do what you have to do
And fate has led you through it
You do what you have to do

And I have the sense to recognize that
I don't know how to let you go

Every moment marked
With apparitions of your soul
I'm ever swiftly moving
Trying to escape this desire
The yearning to be near you
I do what I have to do
The yearning to be near you
I do what I have to do

And I have the sense to recognize that
I don't know how to let you go
I don't know how to let you go

A glowing ember
Burning hot
And burning slow
Deep within I'm shaken by the violence
Of existing for only you

I know I can't be with you
I do what I have to do
I know I can't be with you
I do what I have to do

And I have a sense to recognize but
I don't know how to let you go
I don't know how to let you go
(I don't know how to let you go)


Lyrics submitted by kevin, edited by cwcheung

Do What You Have to Do Lyrics as written by Colleen Wolstenholme Sarah Mclachlan

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

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Do What You Have To Do song meanings
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  • +2
    General Comment

    I've lost one of my best friends to breast cancer and this song brings back all of the memories of our conversations of realizing that she would die. When she did die, I wasn't coping well and didn't know how to let her go. But this song keeps a part of her with me. She (Sarah) mentions "glowing embers" and being "skaken" and not being able to be together, so we must go on and do what we have to do. She would defintely want me to go on, but after3 years, I still don't know how to let her go. But Sarah also explains that "fate has led you through it" so maybe it's destined to be this way. But I'm surely shaken by the violence of losing her and do what I have to do to move on. Nevertheless, she's always the glowing ember in my heart.... every single day and I still haven't learned how to let her go after these years that have gone by. She's a BEAUTIFUL person, inside and out and will always be... forever!

    GekOpMuziekon March 18, 2005   Link

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