The color of the sky as far as I can see is coal grey.
Lift my head from the pillow and then fall again.
With a shiver in my bones just thinking about the weather.
A quiver in my lips as if I might cry.

Well by the force of will my lungs are filled and so I breathe.
Lately it seems this big bed is where I never leave.
Shiver in my bones just thinking about the weather.
Quiver in my voice as I cry,

"What a cold and rainy day. Where on earth is the sun hid away."

I hear the sound of a noon bell chime.
Now I'm far behind.
You've put in 'bout half a day
while here I lie
with a shiver in my bones just thinking about the weather.
A quiver in my lip as if I might cry,

"What a cold and rainy day. Where on earth is the sun hid away?"

Do I need someone here to scold me
or do I need someone who'll grab and pull me out of this four poster dull torpor pulling downward.
For it is such a long time since my better days.
I say my prayers nightly this will pass away.

The color of the sky is grey as I can see through the blinds.
Lift my head from the pillow and then fall again
with a shiver in my bones just thinking about the weather.
A quiver in my voice as I cry,

"What a cold and rainy day. Where on earth is the sun hid away?"
I shiver, quiver, and try to wake.


Lyrics submitted by kornchick

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17 Comments

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  • +4
    General Comment

    I think this is more than just depression - it's about sickness, and being very tired of life. And she needs someone to pull her out - to return her into her better days.

    The surprising thing is that the music is actually happy, or at least danceable. Surprising, since listening to the lyrics does not make you want to dance...

    bartoshekon July 08, 2005   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    the song itself is about depression, she can't even get herself out of bed. Maybe seasonal depression, but it's not all about the weather.

    bloodybitchon June 15, 2003   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    She says she's alone in a big bed, and at noon she mentions someone has put in half a day. Obviously the person she shares the bed with was up early and attacked the day but she didn't. Maybe she's unemployed? Maybe her lover has her locked up? Why is she going to cry because of the weather? Is her domestic partner abusive? The weather is an excuse to stay in bed. For being such a cheerful melody, this is definitely a dreadfully depressing song.

    ZinbobDanon January 26, 2009   Link
  • +3
    General Comment

    Yeah, depression. Not just "I'm depressed" depression, but real, clinical depression. This song is about someone that needs help.

    BlueFalconon December 01, 2010   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    but magoo, everything you said is what depression is like... not wanting to get out of bed... gloomy perspectives... that's depression, my man. so you're right it's about those things, but not about it not being about depression.

    smallwonderroboton August 08, 2006   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    Clearly the song is about depression. If you examine the subjects of other songs by 10,000 maniacs and Natalie, you will find that most songs are about significant life experiences that many individuals live through in their lives.

    I especially like the lyrics: "Do I need someone here to scold me or do I need someone who'll grab and pull me out of this four poster dull torpor pulling downward."

    Often people close to those who are depressed handle their depression with anger....

    Also I dont necessarily believe this song is about Natalie herself....could be anyone. She may not have even written the lyrics for this song (I am not really sure one way or the other)

    ready4realon April 28, 2010   Link
  • +2
    My Opinion

    Interesting posts which try to deny this is about depression. I'm not an expert in 10000 maniacs, but I know a little about Natalie from reading, and I'm a self-confessed expert in depression having lived with it for over 30 years. Shrink concurs.

    I thought this song was rather upbeat and I couldn't figure out what she was singing given her wonderful style, so I came here. What a shock to read she'd penned my autobiography.

    I'd just say anyone who wants to chime in this isn't about depression only does so out of their complete ignorance and has no idea what chronic depression is like to live with. Of course, that's just like people to have opinions about things they know nothing about and their own ego allows them to pretend to be an expert.

    johnsockoon February 04, 2013   Link
  • +1
    General Comment

    For it is such a long time since my better days. I say my prayers nightly this will pass away. it's not just about a rainy day. It's obviously an ongoing problem. But i do agree it's interesting the way the music contrasts to the lyrics.

    bloodybitchon February 02, 2006   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    ok, this song must have been writtren in london! It the greyest, most depressing place and you just don't want to drag yourself out of bed there! I just got out after 7 years!

    megdon September 24, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    I don't think this is about depression. It's about a cold rainy day that you don't feel like getting out of bed because you're shivering. It's only going to be colder outside of bed than inside so it's looking pretty gloomy in perspective. I doubt this is about depression.

    magoosh008on November 05, 2005   Link

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