Sunday Samples 59

This last week I spent some time looking around for music in 3/4 time, and I ran across one with some dust on it from my own library. It’s a bit fast for a slow waltz, on the slow end of the Viennese waltz, and it’s not exactly forthcoming with the beat. In short, it’s pretty much useless for the purposes I started out with.

On the other hand, it’s by Natalie Merchant, and so it’s got a certain elegance we’ve come to expect from her, and an edge to it as well. From 1998’s Ophelia, “My Skin”.

Take a look at my body
Look at my hands
There’s so much here
That I don’t understand
Your face saving promises
Whispered like prayers
I don’t need them

‘Cause I’ve been treated so wrong
I’ve been treated so long
As if I’m becoming untouchable

Well, contempt loves the silence
It thrives in the dark
With fine winding tendrils
That strangle the heart
They say that promises
Sweeten the blow
I don’t need them
No, I don’t need them

I’ve been treated so wrong
I’ve been treated so long
As if I’m becoming untouchable

I’m a slow dying flower
I’m a frost killing hour
The sweet turning sour and untouchable

Oh, I need the darkness, the sweetness
The sadness, the weakness
Oh, I need this

I need a lullaby, a kiss goodnight
“Angel sweet, love of my life”
Oh, I need this

I’m a slow dying flower
A frost killing hour
The sweet turning sour and untouchable

Do you remember the way
That you touched me before
All the trembling sweetness
I loved and adored?
Your face saving promises
Whispered like prayers
I don’t need them

I need the darkness, the sweetness
The sadness, the weakness
Oh, I need this

I need a lullaby, a kiss goodnight
“Angel sweet, love of my life”
Oh, I need this

Well, is it dark enough? Can you see me?
Do you want me? Can you reach me?
Or I’m leaving

You better shut your mouth and hold your breath
You kiss me now you’ll catch your death
Oh, I mean it
Oh, I mean it