Can confirm the lyric is "and for you and sorrow", as written in the booklet that comes with the album. Not sure what this means though...
For the song generally I think this is a letter, mostly because of the "so I'll finish this tomorrow", not sure how else that would make sense. I think perhaps this is an unfinished letter the protagonist of the album started writing before she died and was subsequently only discovered much later. Perhaps written to her literal brother.
For background, Steven has stated that the album concept in general is based on the story of Joyce Carol Vincent, a young woman who lived in isolation such that when she died in her apartment the body was not discovered for three years.
@jpdwebb - Yes, definitely an unfinished letter to her brother - the Deluxe book edition actually contains an envelope with a handwritten letter which has the lyrics to the song. Here is the relevant "blog post" from handcannoterase.com: "I barely know my brother. I know he has a wife and 2 children, but I have no idea if he’s happy or what is important to him, I never did, he never gave anything away. Maybe he learnt that from me. I met his family once, the last time I went home for Christmas, 4 years ago, the...
@jpdwebb - Yes, definitely an unfinished letter to her brother - the Deluxe book edition actually contains an envelope with a handwritten letter which has the lyrics to the song. Here is the relevant "blog post" from handcannoterase.com: "I barely know my brother. I know he has a wife and 2 children, but I have no idea if he’s happy or what is important to him, I never did, he never gave anything away. Maybe he learnt that from me. I met his family once, the last time I went home for Christmas, 4 years ago, the children were too young to understand who I was, and I’m sure my brother and his wife probably figured their Aunt was always going to be largely absent from their lives anyway, so no point letting them get close to me. But still every year I get a Christmas card from them and an invitation to visit, whether out of duty or genuine concern I couldn’t say. It arrived today and for some reason this time it made me cry. I realised there’s no point now."
@jpdwebb Regarding your first paragraph: I understand it tied to the previous line. She has gifts for the children and sorrow for him by her coming (whether via her telling tales of woe or they dealing/not-dealing with problems between eachother).
@jpdwebb Regarding your first paragraph: I understand it tied to the previous line. She has gifts for the children and sorrow for him by her coming (whether via her telling tales of woe or they dealing/not-dealing with problems between eachother).
First up, what a beautiful song!
Can confirm the lyric is "and for you and sorrow", as written in the booklet that comes with the album. Not sure what this means though...
For the song generally I think this is a letter, mostly because of the "so I'll finish this tomorrow", not sure how else that would make sense. I think perhaps this is an unfinished letter the protagonist of the album started writing before she died and was subsequently only discovered much later. Perhaps written to her literal brother.
For background, Steven has stated that the album concept in general is based on the story of Joyce Carol Vincent, a young woman who lived in isolation such that when she died in her apartment the body was not discovered for three years.
@jpdwebb - Yes, definitely an unfinished letter to her brother - the Deluxe book edition actually contains an envelope with a handwritten letter which has the lyrics to the song. Here is the relevant "blog post" from handcannoterase.com: "I barely know my brother. I know he has a wife and 2 children, but I have no idea if he’s happy or what is important to him, I never did, he never gave anything away. Maybe he learnt that from me. I met his family once, the last time I went home for Christmas, 4 years ago, the...
@jpdwebb - Yes, definitely an unfinished letter to her brother - the Deluxe book edition actually contains an envelope with a handwritten letter which has the lyrics to the song. Here is the relevant "blog post" from handcannoterase.com: "I barely know my brother. I know he has a wife and 2 children, but I have no idea if he’s happy or what is important to him, I never did, he never gave anything away. Maybe he learnt that from me. I met his family once, the last time I went home for Christmas, 4 years ago, the children were too young to understand who I was, and I’m sure my brother and his wife probably figured their Aunt was always going to be largely absent from their lives anyway, so no point letting them get close to me. But still every year I get a Christmas card from them and an invitation to visit, whether out of duty or genuine concern I couldn’t say. It arrived today and for some reason this time it made me cry. I realised there’s no point now."
@BigRed97 Cool, I actually had read that blog post (before hearing the album so didn't remember/connect it). Makes sense!
@BigRed97 Cool, I actually had read that blog post (before hearing the album so didn't remember/connect it). Makes sense!
@jpdwebb Regarding your first paragraph: I understand it tied to the previous line. She has gifts for the children and sorrow for him by her coming (whether via her telling tales of woe or they dealing/not-dealing with problems between eachother).
@jpdwebb Regarding your first paragraph: I understand it tied to the previous line. She has gifts for the children and sorrow for him by her coming (whether via her telling tales of woe or they dealing/not-dealing with problems between eachother).