The Machine
Echoes of Loss: Mary Lambert's Haunting Reflections on Sickness and Grief
Lyrics
Don't touch me I'm sleeping,
Feeling vulnerable and in need of protection, requesting not to be disturbed while resting.
Got a bag of bones I've been keeping,
Expressing a collection of personal hardships or struggles kept internally.
Why you
Raising a question about the cause of distress or illness.
Why you
Repeating the question, emphasizing the uncertainty or confusion.
Sick?
Asking about the reason for feeling unwell.
Your hands are like a war memorial
Comparing the hands of someone to a war memorial, suggesting a history of pain, trauma, or struggle.
Your hands are like a war memorial
Repeating the comparison, reinforcing the significance of the person's experiences.
Why are you sick?
Reiterating the question about the cause of sickness, seeking understanding.
We shaved your head cos your hair was falling out
Describing a decision to shave someone's head due to hair loss, likely related to illness.
We shaved your head cos your hair was falling out
Repeating the description, underscoring the impact of the illness on physical appearance.
Why are you sick all of the time?
Persistently questioning the recurring nature of sickness.
The sounds of the machine is the most comforting thing knowing you're alive
Finding solace in the mechanical sounds of a machine, possibly indicating the presence of medical equipment and assurance of life.
Beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beeeeeeeeep
Imitating the sound of a machine, emphasizing its regularity and comfort.
Beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beeeeeeeeep
Repeating the machine sounds, reinforcing their role in providing comfort and assurance.
Lord, lord you took my baby, my baby
Expressing grief over the loss of a loved one, addressing a higher power.
Got an empty house with two bathtubs, I want to drown in them
Describing an empty house with two bathtubs, expressing a desire for immersion or escape from pain.
Lord, lord you took my baby, my baby
Repeating the expression of loss and the longing for solace in the empty house.
Got an empty house with two bathtubs, I want to drown in them
Reiterating the description of the empty house and the yearning for immersion or relief.
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ahhhhh.
Concluding with a vocalization, expressing intense emotion or pain.
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