Cardinal Song Lyrics

Lyric discussion by ghosttrainhobo 

Cover art for Cardinal Song lyrics by National, The

Cardinals (the bird) mate for life. I think that this song is kind of about the "principle of least interest." The party least interested in a relationship has the most power. "If she knows you're paper, you know she'll have to burn you." If she figures out how much he really loves her, he fears that she'll lose interest in him. I've experienced this myself. By acting cold, distant and selfish, he's insuring that she'll stay around. A really sad but beautiful song.