On this track, Bon Iver covers John Prine’s 1978 song “Bruised Orange”. Bon Iver’s version of the song appeared as the B side to the single release of “Towers”, from his 2011 album Bon Iver, Bon Iver. This cover was not included in the album.
My heart's in the ice house, come hill or come valley
Like a long ago Sunday when I walked through the alley
On a cold winter's morning to a church house just to shovel some snow
I heard sirens on the train track, howl naked gettin' under
An altar boy's been hit by a local commuter
Just from walking with his back turned to the train that was coming so slow
You can gaze out the window, get mad and get madder
Throw your hands in the air, saying "What does it matter?"
But it don't do no good to get angry, so help me, I know
For a heart stained in anger grows weak and grows bitter
You become your own prisoner as you watch yourself sit there
Wrapped up in a trap of your very own chain of sorrow
I been brought down to zero, pulled out and put back there
I sat on a park bench, kissed the girl with the black hair
And my head shouted down to my heart "You better look out below!"
Hey, it ain't such a long drop, don't stammer, don't stutter
From the diamonds in the sidewalk to the dirt in the gutter
And you carry those bruises to remind you wherever you go
You can gaze out the window, get mad and get madder
Throw your hands in the air, saying "What does it matter?"
But it don't do no good to get angry, so help me, I know
For a heart stained in anger grows weak and grows bitter
You become your own prisoner as you watch yourself sit there
Wrapped up in a trap of your very own chain of sorrow
My heart's in the ice house, come hill or come valley
Like a long ago Sunday when I walked through the alley
On a cold winter's morning to a church house just to shovel some snow
Bruised Orange (Chain of Sorrow) was written by John Prine.
Bon Iver released Bruised Orange (Chain of Sorrow) on Tue Mar 06 2012.