Sufjan Stevens

barn owl, night killer

All I had hoped for
I kept inside your car
the rabbit in the barn
most of all I wait
I wait beside the door
I wait beside the door.

Now I was wrong
tembling in the cage
I was dying to the rage.
In seven hours
I consider death and your father called to yell at me
you little boy, you little boy.

Found out you cheated me
I ran behind the barn and cut my hands and mouth.
Blood in the meadow lark
I punched your ears instead
I punched you in the head, you only laughed and laughed and laughed.
And How I was wrong, dangling from the kiln
you tickle me until
you devil bird, you evil still.
I slept on my arms, sleeping on the sill
I was sleeping in the room with you
you little boy, you little boy.


How could you run from me now
the loneliest chime in the house, the loneliest chime in the house
you let it out, you let it out.
Come to me covered and still, I'm bleeding and breaking until
I'm bleeding in spite of my warmth for you, you bruise and bruise my will.

Come to me now with you bring,
the prettiest side of the range,
you touched me inside of my cage,
beneath my shirt your hands embraced me.

Come to me feathered and free,
for I am the ugliest prey,
for I am the ugliest prey
beyond the reckless, reckless raise.


You said you'd wait for me.
Down by the tannery creek
far out by the clothesline where we used to kiss behind the sheets.
Wrapped in a blanket of red, the owl and the tanager sat, the owl and the tanager said
one waits until the hour is death.