The Beggar Lover (Three) is the third installment on a trilogy started with Number One Of Three, an album released in 1998 by Michael Gira’s project The Body Lovers; with the second part being the track Look At Me Go, a bonus track featured on the special edition of Swans' 2010 album, My Father Will...
Part 1 (0:00 - 12:10)
[Instrumental: 0:00 - 3:52]
(Jennifer Gira):
Slowly, it's taking me over and eventually I'll be completely transformed: diffused in the earth, or incinerated and vaporized. It's in the food I eat, in the air I breathe. It's in the people I love and they frighten me. I can see a black shadow shimmering just beneath their skin. Despite my love for them, there's nothing I can do for them, nor is there anything they can do for thеmselves. It's slowly encroaching, rеlentless. Its appetite is endless and will never be filled
[Instrumental: 4:44 - 10:00]
(Michael Gira):
Milky Michael, sleepy Michael
Sleepy Michael, milky Michael
Sleepy Michael, milky Michael
Milky Michael, sleepy Michael
Sleepies, close your eyes
Close your eyes
[Instrumental: 10:57 - 12:10]
Part 2 (12:10 - 24:07)
[Instrumental]
Part 3 (24:07 - 27:32)
[Instrumental: 24:07 - 26:45]
(Saoirse Gira):
-to sing a song for you, daddy:
This old man, he played one
He played knick-knack on my thumb
With a knick-knack paddywhack
Give the dog a bone
This old man came rolling home
This old man, he played one
He played knick-knack on my thumb
With a knick-knack paddywhack
Give the dog a bone
This old man came rolling home
[Instrumental: 27:08 - 27:32]
Part 4 (27:32 - 32:03)
[Instrumental]
Part 5 (32:03 - 43:52)
[Instrumental: 32:03 - 35:14]
(Michael Gira):
I can see it but not see it
I can feel it but not keep it
I can touch it but not hold it
I can be it but not know it
I can reach it but won't touch it (But won't touch it)
I contain it but release it
I unfold it but won't see it (I unfold it)
I can breathe it but not taste it (But not taste it)
I will lose it but I'll keep it
In the shadow, in the light pool (In the shadow)
In the reason for not being (In the reason)
I won't touch it, I won't hold it (I won't touch it)
I can be it but not feel it (I can be it)
I can steal it but not keep it (I can steal it)
I can break it but not heal it (I can break it)
I can see it but not see it (I can see it)
I can feel it but not keep it (I can feel it)
I can touch it but not hold it (I can touch it)
I can be it but not know it (I can be it)
I can reach it but won't touch it (I can reach it)
I contain it but release it (I contain it)
I unfold it (I unfold it, I unfold it)
Somewhere
No place - let's go! (But don't see it)
(I unfold it, but don't see it)
Nowhere
This place - let's go!
(I unfold it, I unfold it)
Reaching
Not being - let's go! (But don't see it)
(I unfold it)
Glorious
No one, no us - let's go! (I can touch it)
(I unfold it)
Hmm - let's go!
Hmm - let's go!
The Beggar Lover (Three) was written by Michael Gira.
The Beggar Lover (Three) was produced by Michael Gira.
Swans released The Beggar Lover (Three) on Fri Jun 23 2023.