Listen to The State I Am In by Belle and Sebastian

The State I Am In

Belle and Sebastian

Alternative

21,673

Apple Music Note

OVERVIEW

LYRICS

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Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS

Belle and Sebastian

Belle and Sebastian

Performer

Stuart Murdoch

Vocals

Richard William Colburn

Richard William Colburn

Drums

Stuart David

Bass Guitar

Stevie Jackson

Electric Guitar

Gerry Campbell

Keyboards

COMPOSITION & LYRICS

Stuart Murdoch

Songwriter

PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING

Gregor Reid

Producer

Tim Dennen

Mastering Engineer

Lyrics

[Verse 1]

I was surprised

I was happy for a day in 1975

I was puzzled by a dream

It stayed with me all day in 1995

My brother had confessed he was gay

It took the heat off me for a while

He stood up with a sailor friend

Made it known upon my sister's wedding day

[Verse 2]

I got married in a rush

To save a kid from being deported, now she's in love

Oh, oh, I was so touched

I was moved to kick the crutches from my crippled friend

And she was not impressed

'Cause I cured her on the Sabbath, I went to confess

When she saw the funny sign

We introduced my child bride to whisky and gin

To whisky and gin

[Verse 3]

The priest in the booth

Had a photographic memory for all he had heard

He took all of my sins

And he wrote a pocket novel called The state that I am in

And so I gave myself to God

There was a pregnant pause before he said okay

Now I spend my days turnin' tables 'round in Marks & Spencers

They don't seem to mind

[Chorus]

I gave myself to sin

And I gave myself to providence

And I've been there and back again

The state that I am in

[Chorus]

I gave myself to sin

And I gave myself to providence

And I've been there and back again

The state that I am in

[Verse 4]

Oh, love of mine

Would you condescend to help me, 'cause I'm stupid and blind?

Oh, and desperation is the Devil's work

It is the folly of a boy's empty mind

Oh, and now I'm feelin' dangerous

Ridin' on city buses for a hobby is sad

Why don't you lead me to a living end?

I promised that I'd entertain my crippled friend

My crippled friend

[Chorus]

I gave myself to sin

And I gave myself to providence

And I've been there and back again

The state that I am in

[Chorus]

I gave myself to sin

And I gave myself to providence

And I've been there and back again

The state that I am in

[Verse 5]

I gave myself to sin

And I gave myself to providence

And I've been there and back again

The state that I am in

[Chorus]

I gave myself to sin

And I gave myself to providence

And I've been there and back again

The state that I am in

[Outro]

I gave myself to sin, and I've

Been there and back again, oh, yeah

Written by: Stuart Murdoch

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