Lyric discussion by SephNite 

Cover art for Where Have You Been lyrics by Manchester Orchestra

The lyrics on this one change all the time. Here's a combo of some live versions, the studio, and acoustic performances of the song. Make what you will of it:

[studio version]

They call holidays an option for a reason And I heard you're coming back to life just for the Fourth Well, I've been catching all your ghosts for every season And I pray to God you won't come back here anymore Do you pray with Him too?

Well, they should deliver all my blessings In small, brown, paper handbags near the porch Oh, I wished I'd known that you were bleeding While I sat and watched you reading with the Lord You know, I read with Him too

'cause when you look at me I'll be digesting your legs 'cause I can hardly see what's in front of me These days, and those days too

I've got to take what I'm making And turn it into something I've got to take what I'm making And turn it into something for you

I've got to break what I'm making And turn it into nothing I've got to break what I'm making And turn it into nothing for you

'cause when you look at me I'll be digesting your legs 'cause I can hardly see what's in front of me These days, and those days too

If they call holidays an option, it's pretentious So I'll deliver all my presents for the Christians With those lions a'comin', oh, they're comin' Those lions a'comin', oh, they're comin'

[studio version]

[Coachella Festival 04/27/2008]

And this is the price I pay I'm not ashamed of the guns I'll take to push You away This is the fashion-conscience religion about You And this is the price I pay I'm not ashamed of the guns it takes to push You away This is the fashion of conscience, religion

Oh God, it's true

This is the price I pay I'm not ashamed of the guns it'll take to push You away This is the fashion-conscience religion, or is it true? This is the price I pay I'm not ashamed of the guns it'll take to push You away This is the fashion-conscience religion

Oh God it's...

This is the price I pay I'm not ashamed of the guns it'll take to push You away This is the fashion-conscience religion This is the price I pay I'm not ashamed of the guns it'll take to push You away This is the fashion-conscience religion

Oh God, it's true

[Coachella Festival 04/27/2008]

[The END 11/09/2007]

God, where have You been? God, my God, where have You been? And God, where have You been? And God, God, my God, where have You been? And God, my God, where have You been? And God, my God, my God, where exactly have You been?

Child, my child, where have you been?

And God, my God, my God, where exactly have we been?

[The END 11/09/2007]

[House of Bricks 12/02/2008]

And I woke alone for an hour or so 'til you began to fill the room with Your Holy Ghost Just because I did not see the man that I was being It doesn't mean I won't ever see You

I don't mind if you arrive soon I wouldn't mind hearing from you 'cause I sit nights, wondering bedside Not sad, or even happy, just kind of mixed up

And I hope that you still love me The way I love you And I hope that you still need me The way I murdered you And I hope that you still eat me The way I ate you 'cause in the end we're just dogs Through and through

'cause in this moment I am alive again And now I need You all the time 'cause in the moment I was finally alive again

[House of Bricks 12/02/2008]

The House of Bricks version is beautiful.