Tall Saint Lyrics

Lyric discussion by TheNationalFan 

Cover art for Tall Saint lyrics by National, The

I think Tall Saint is Depression. "Tall Saint, I'm devoted with a glass of champagne to you. . . I've been looking for you all night, Tall Saint . . . I'm in your hands tonight, Tall Saint . . . Stay behind me now, Tall Saint." But tonight, Tall Saint wins and dreams are quashed, he decides to just head home -- "But I got up, got in a car, said 'I don't think I'm gonna go very far.' Just take me one time around the ballroom slow, and take me home."

And the woman who says "Stay down, champion, stay down," after he fell down drunk and hit his head, does so with mocking sarcasm.

Why would Depression be referred to as Tall Saint? Well, looks are deceiving, plus Depression is familiar to the person, he's unavoidably drawn to it. It's always there, always lurking, and tonight like any other night he's waiting for its presence (and drinking for it): "I've been looking for you all night." He WANTS it to stay behind him, but he can't shake it.