Lyrics for Casimir Pulaski Day as interpreted by downhillracer

Casimir Pulaski Day Lyrics
Goldenrod and the 4H stone
The things I brought you
When I found out you had cancer of the bone

Your father cried on the telephone
And he drove his car into the Navy yard
Just to prove that he was sorry

In the morning, through the window shade
When the light pressed up against your shoulderblade
I could see what you were reading

All the glory that the Lord has made
And the complications you could do without
When I kissed you on the mouth

Tuesday night at the Bible study
We lift our hands and pray over your body
But nothing ever happens

I remember at Michael's house
In the living room when you kissed my neck
And I almost touched your blouse

In the morning at the top of the stairs
When your father found out what we did that night
And you told me you were scared

All the glory when you ran outside
With your shirt tucked in and your shoes untied
And you told me not to follow you

Sunday night when I cleaned the house
I found the card where you wrote it out
With the pictures of you mother

On the floor at the great divide
With my shirt tucked in and my shoes untied
I am crying in the bathroom

In the morning when you finally go
And the nurse runs in with her head hung low
And the cardinal hits the window

In the morning in the winter shade
On the first of March, on the holiday
I thought I saw you breathing

All the glory that the Lord has made
And the complications when I see His face
In the morning in the window

All the glory when He took our place
But He took my shoulders and He shook my face
And He takes and He takes and He takes

Interaction
Mail to a friend Send Lyrics to a Friend
Share on Facebook

Stumble It
Add to Del.icio.us Add to Del.icio.us




  • 279 Comments
  • Printer Friendly Lyrics
oldest first     Expand All
hoboghost
05-05-2005

Rated +1 
This song gave me goosebumps. Beautiful song about loss.

Log in to reply
hoboghost
05-05-2005

Rated 0 
by the way isn't it,

I remember at Michael's house,
in the living room when you kissed my neck,
and I almost touched your blouse. ???

Log in to reply
1 Reply
morbot
05-15-2005

Rated 0 
it is neck, not mouth.

casimir pulaski day is an illinois state holiday, the first monday of every march. it sounds like that this is when this person died.

Log in to reply
WikedAbib
05-17-2005

Rated -1 
its mouth..........

Log in to reply
dmcdowel
05-19-2005

Rated 0 
I always heard "4H stone"... and I know that makes no sense... but I'm wondering what a "4H doll" is...

Log in to reply
Nimbus the Kitten
06-06-2005

Rated 0 
It is 4H stone. It also is mouth. I have the liner notes right in front of me.

Log in to reply
Nimbus the Kitten
06-06-2005

Rated 0 
Ack! It is neck. I was confusing that part with the earlier part where he does say mouth. Apologies.

Log in to reply
jsa1583
06-24-2005

Rated 0 
It is definately neck, and im not sure but i think it is 4h stone

Log in to reply
WikedAbib
07-13-2005

Rated 0 
it is neck, was listening to the worng part....oh gosh.


oh goshehresre!

Log in to reply
jady
07-20-2005

Rated 0 
Sufjan stevens is often criticized for writing "Christian" music, but here is a good example of why that isn't so... this song is about the loss of a friend but also, more importantly, how God can seem not to care about those who pray to him. Sufjan may well be a Christian but this is not christian music, which has at its core the desire to praise God; just music about how he feels... in other words, "music". I love that last line. I guarantee you will never hear that on an Amy Grant record.

Log in to reply
ComingUpRoses
07-24-2005

Rated 0 
I think it's a good example of how he writes songs about faith, and that doesn't need to be criticized.

THere is a world of difference between the didactic words of alt/christian rockers (puke) on a mission and the shades of faith that Sufjan explores.

This song is about love, and struggling with God in the face of loss.

my favorite off of an amazing CD.

Log in to reply
rive gauche
07-27-2005

Rated 0 
this song makes me cry

Log in to reply
ktgotskills
08-08-2005

Rated 0 
well put, rive.

Log in to reply
Thats So 1982
08-12-2005

Rated +2 
I wish I could've known her.

Log in to reply
maggie_e
08-27-2005

Rated -1 
this is my favorite song on the album

sufjan is actually very christian or so ive heard
i also heard rumor he is like saving himself
not that thats important just the input im putting in

Log in to reply
tinfoilsally
08-30-2005

Rated 0 
I kinda saw the song as being about being about another guy... not sure why, that's just what I saw when I listened to the lyrics.
And I know that he does say 'and I almost touched your blouse', which is an article of female clothing, but still.

Log in to reply
The_Variable
09-05-2005

Rated 0 
...and he takes...and he takes....and he takes.

Log in to reply
The_Variable
09-05-2005

Rated 0 
I'm sorry. But this has got to be the saddest song I have ever heard in all of my 18 years of life.

I ...cry like a child ...when I hear this song. -Every- time.

But it's worse when you can relate to it. It's a lot worse. But no matter how many times I cry from hearing this song, it always makes me feel better...

Log in to reply
sergiolikewhoa
09-06-2005

Rated 0 
to tinfoilsally:

It could still be about a man. I know a song that is written like a guy saying goodbye to his girlfriend at the airport but the inspiration for it is the guy saying goodbye to his best guy friend at the airport.

Either way, great song. I tear up almost every time.

Log in to reply
sadairward
09-08-2005

Rated 0 
i thought at first this was just a sad song about the loss of a friend but it is starting to confuse me. its just odd how he says "all the glory..." followed by something sad. it is also an interesting connection that he makes at the end, Jesus taking our place at the cross, and God taking her life. i don't think that he is made at God, unless he is being sarcastic when he says "all the glory." it may be kinda like how a parent doesn't let their child have candy, it ends up being good for them in the end, but all they see is something being taken from them. i haven't really figured it out, but it is a very interesting connection to me, forgiveness and death.

Log in to reply
sadairward
09-08-2005

Rated 0 
*mad* at God

Log in to reply
ktgotskills
09-11-2005

Rated 0 
tinfoilsally:

i thought it was about a guy, too. the 'shirt tucked in', guys are usually the ones who can tuck in a shirt, and 'and the complications you could do without, when I kissed you on the mouth.' gave me the impression that it was a caring, platonic kiss on the lips and the dad saw it and it made more complications for everyone.

Log in to reply
1 Reply
Breakfast
09-14-2005

Rated 0 
An illness can have complications as well. Body and spirit reflect one another.

Log in to reply
cunning stunt
09-16-2005

Rated +1 
This song slays me.
I've always interpreteded "the complications you could do without" as temptation. Strict father, religious restrictions, temptations of the flesh that God has made can prove complicated.

I assume the "great divide" is between life and death and not some geographic location in the "pictures of you mother".

Not sure what to make of the line "shirt tucked in and my shoes untied". He repeats it twice. I think of it as a state of dishelvement or interruption like when something blindsides you. The cardinal doesn't see the window, and suddenly it changes everything. Casimir Pulaski rides into the South expecting to recapture Savannah, only to be mortally wounded. Anyone have insights into this line?

Log in to reply
1 Reply
Breakfast
09-19-2005

Rated 0 
There are two fathers in this songs, the father who drives to the navy yard and the Father who takes and he takes. Partly the song is about the similarities and differences between them.

Log in to reply
2 Replies




  • Add Your Comments
What does this song mean to you?

You must be logged in to post your comments.

Feel free to create an account with us, or log in with your existing account, to start adding your comments to songs.





Popular
Top:   Lyrics, Artists, Albums
Random:   Lyric, Artist, Album

Your Ad Here