Song Meaning
These lyrics open with a persistent, almost helpless question: "What are we gonna do with you?" It immediately establishes a sense of dilemma, a presence or situation that is both central and perplexing. The repeated query suggests a long-standing issue, one that the speaker grapples with constantly.
The emotional core of the piece lies in its striking contrasts. We see "paper birds all getting soggy flying in the rain," an image of delicate beauty succumbing to harsh reality, suggesting fragility and perhaps a fading hope. This is immediately followed by the speaker calling "you" a "tricky one," yet also "A treat that it comes back again." This tension—between difficulty and a cherished return—highlights a relationship or internal state that is complicated, perhaps frustrating, but ultimately desired.
The lyrics further deepen this complexity with the vivid, almost unsettling imagery of consumption. A "happy cup that's full of it" quickly becomes a "Cup of mud so very gluggingly." This stark shift from perceived joy to an unpleasant, forced reality is powerfully ironic. It suggests a situation where happiness is either superficial or deliberately consumed despite its true, unappealing nature, hinting at a forced cheerfulness or a bitter truth being swallowed.
Ultimately, the speaker reveals a profound vulnerability, asking, "won't you come put your hands on me?" The admission of a physical "problem with my back" grounds this plea in a tangible need for support and connection. The desire to be "bound together most unbrokenly" underscores a yearning for permanence and unwavering intimacy, a stark contrast to the earlier uncertainty. These lyrics are effective because they don't offer easy answers; instead, they paint a nuanced portrait of a relationship or an internal struggle that is both challenging and deeply desired, filled with both bitter truths and a longing for steadfast connection.