Things are here
And you're over there
And inbetween land, sea everything
I hope you're warm
And I hope you think of me
In Petersburg the way things used to be
Yesterday, a telegraph said that you had died
But I knew, but I know that it was a lie
I tried to laugh
But I went back to my room and cried
I mean our room
I went back to our room and cried

Retreat, and come back home.



Lyrics submitted by tsucol

Track duration: 03:12


To A Husband At War song meanings
Add your thoughts

33 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment:such a sad and raw song. this song is perfection
    Flag BearsAndBeetson June 12, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Very good.
    Flag criminologyon May 29, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:it certainly is
    Flag Duckson January 25, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:So, so, so fucking sad. Love means so much to this wife, and in this context, her love for her husband exacerbates the cost that's paid by a loved one's death. That room, that room. I used to lie in my bed listening to this song and feel shitty about sharing it only with myself. Our brains are completely wired to love one person emphatically. We place so much trust and emotion into that, I can't imagine a life lived without that. Even if I was to lose someone, whether in war or some other casualty, the letter-writer narrating this song clearly has meaning in her life. Something we should all value, something we should all value
    Flag mslateon March 06, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:if i didnt know any better, id think the brothers marburger were a lady in the 1900s who lost her husband at war but doesnt want to admit it. i think she's in phase one of grief -- denial (for example, knew/know, my/out room)
    Flag uuon September 01, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Oh my GAWD... Such a good song.

    But I KNEW, but I KNOW that it was a lie
    I tried to laugh
    But I went back to MY room and cried
    I mean OUR room
    I went back to OUR room and cried

    Its amazing how a simple change in word tence can reveal so much. This band had such good rhetoric.
    Flag IluvIhateMyselfon July 30, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I can't see myself in such a situation, so the text don't moves me so much, but the music is great.
    Flag wowuon April 21, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:so perfect
    Flag nietzscheon December 03, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I'm pissed that this isn't on the 10 Songs LP. Easily one of their best - if not their best - song.
    Flag RedDwarfon November 10, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I Hate Myself - 10 Songs (November 1997)
    megaupload.com/

    I Hate Myself/Twelve Hour Turn split (November 1998)
    megaupload.com/

    I Hate Myself - 2 Song 7'' (July 2000)
    megaupload.com/

    I Hate Myself - 3 Songs (August 2005)
    megaupload.com/

    I Hate Myself - 4 Songs (January 1997)
    megaupload.com/
    Flag Possibilitieson August 29, 2007   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

Back to top
explain