Poor Edward Lyrics

Lyric discussion by suburban 

Cover art for Poor Edward lyrics by Tom Waits

This song is a true story. It is about a man named Edward Mordrake who lived in England. He had a woman's face on the back of his head, the face did not eat or speak. But as the song tells, it could laugh and cry. No doctor wanted to attempt to remove it. So he commited suicide at the age of 23.

This song is not exactly true. Your correct about it being based on Edward Mordrake. He was possibly a 19th century English man with nobility. He is claimed to have rejected his nobility and committed suicide when 23, there is no medical/historical evidence to back up the truth of this 'folklore' however. . Either way, true or not, a great song.

He alledged the head would whisper terrible things to him at night as the lyrics say.