The death of a loved one can often leave one in a very dark and suicidal place for a long time, if not forever. This song exists in that place, with the death of a daughter forever haunting the narrator.
[Verse 1]
I just thought I'd let you know
There's a war in an old set of bones
When they shake, you can feel the earth moan
There's a war
When it rips through the hills on a child's roar
Skips across the water like a stone
There's a sure rope swinging, without a head in its jaws
It's waiting
There's a war
[Verse 2]
(It comes then it goes, it comes then it goes)
We're open mouthed in the deepest shit of all
(It takes time then goes, it takes time then goes)
The spitting image of an unanswered call
(It comes then it goes, it comes then it goes)
Lost love in a gaping maw
(It takes time then goes, it takes time then goes)
The same dead hand knocking at the door
(It comes then it goes, it comes then it goes)
The same dead hand knocking at the door
There's a war
[Verse 3]
So reel back and say
"Oh, we never should've let them go"
And say "No, no, no, no
There are no saints anymore"
And "Oh, love is a tired whore"
And "Oh, love is a tired whore"
And "Oh, love is a tired whore"
And "Oh, love is a tired whore"
And "Oh, love is a tired whore"
[Verse 4]
Then the piano wire is impressed by the key
The hammer pulls the car around back and everyone piles in
A schedule is mentioned, a horn sounds in the distance
Some pasteurized idea vibrates a pocket
Is this meant to be or wicked chance?
They drive on, as each street lines a memory
Knowing they'll die here or there
Knowing they die here and there
Knowing they'll die here or there
Knowing they die here and there
Knowing they'll die here or there
Knowing they die here and there
Knowing they die here and there
Knowing they die here and there
Knowing they die
Daughter was written by Nicholas Andrew Sadler & Alexis Marshall.
Daughter was produced by Seth Manchester & Nicholas Andrew Sadler.
I think of this song as the quietest person in the room, with the most interesting backstory. The rolling drums give the entire track a sinister air. The narrative is metaphorical, but once the veil is lifted, the bones reveal one of the most personal songs I’ve composed lyrically. – Alexis Marshall