Story Behind The Song
Our youngest son, Rumi, was diagnosed with leukemia when he was three years old. This "good" form of cancer involves great suffering. This song describes some of that heartbreak.
Song Description
Expression of suffering surrounding a child with cancer. West African language of Dioloua lament provides a background wail against lyrics like "your baseball mitt lies waiting and your house needs your laugh"
| Song Length |
4:15 |
Genre |
Rock - Alternative |
| Tempo |
Medium (111 - 130) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Heartbreaking |
Subject |
Sadness, Love for Child |
| Similar Artists |
Ben Folds, Sarah Mclachlan |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
There's a weight on my chest
There's a rock in my heart
The longest winter's coming
Will be cold and dark
Will you smile again this spring
When the bulbs we planted bloom?
Will the bleeding and the screaming
Help us hold onto you?
Chorus:
<< I cannot breathe
I cannot breathe
I cannot breathe
Don't make me breath >>
My favorite tea
Is acid in my belly
I've burned the toast again
It's ashes in my mouth
Your baseball mitt lies waiting
And the house it needs you laugh
Like when you ran around in goggles
In that red and green elf hat
<< >>
I never knew before the flood
this desert heart could hold
please don't drown in this
I need you, I need you
please don't drown in this
I need you, I need you
<< >>