Down Through
Red House Painters Lyrics
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The wind blew hard, hard on me
I imagined it your ghost white body
Making love with me
I walked down the hill
Found you crying at the window sill
There lies the bridge of our lost dreams
I want to see it once more before I leave
I still feel the sting in my hand
From when I hit you
I keep your picture tidy and safe in a shrine
And hope that in time, in time, in time
We'll have a house on the shore
That showers my soul, washes away the violence
That runs in my blood
Drains the pain that I've caused you
Down through
"Down Through" is a haunting song by Red House Painters that carries a heavy emotional weight. It tells the story of a protagonist walking down a hill while feeling weak and weary, while the wind blows hard on him. He imagines the ghost of his former lover making love to him, perhaps trying to hold onto a connection that has long since been lost. As he continues to walk, he finds her crying at a window sill, looking out at a bridge that represents the dreams they once shared together. The singer expresses a desire to see that bridge once more before he leaves.
The song is full of regret and longing, with the singer still feeling the pain of hitting his lover and acknowledging the violence that runs in his blood. He keeps her picture safe in a shrine, perhaps as a way to apologize or seek forgiveness. The ultimate goal is to have a house on the shore that can wash away this violence and pain, hopefully allowing them to move on from the past.
One poignant part of the song is the use of the word "down" in the final line. It not only refers to the literal descent down the hill, but also to the idea that these negative emotions are being drained away and "down" through the singer. This suggests that while he acknowledges his mistakes and the harm he has caused, he is also taking steps to move past them and create a better future.
Line by Line Meaning
I walked down the hill, sluggishly and frail
I descended the slope with great difficulty, moving slowly and weakly.
The wind blew hard, hard on me
A strong gust of wind hit me with force.
I imagined it your ghost white body
I pictured your pale, ghostly figure in my mind.
Making love with me
Engaging in romantic activities with me.
I walked down the hill
I traveled down the hill on foot.
Found you crying at the window sill
I discovered you weeping by the windowsill.
There lies the bridge of our lost dreams
That is where our unfulfilled aspirations are located.
I want to see it once more before I leave
I desire to revisit it before departing for good.
I still feel the sting in my hand
I still experience the pain caused by hitting you.
From when I hit you
Referring to the moment when I struck you.
I keep your picture tidy and safe in a shrine
I maintain your image in a clean and secure space.
And hope that in time, in time, in time
I anticipate that it will happen eventually.
We'll have a house on the shore
We will live in a beach house by the waterside.
That showers my soul, washes away the violence
A place that cleanses my spirit and removes my aggression.
That runs in my blood
The violent tendencies that I possess.
Drains the pain that I've caused you
Alleviates the discomfort and harm that I brought upon you.
Down through
Everything that I mentioned previously is directed downwards towards a better future.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Copper
I walked down the hill
Sluggishly and frail
The wind blew hard, hard on me
I imagined it, your ghost white body
Making love with me
I walked down the hill
Found you crying at the window sill
There lies the bridge of our lost dreams
I want to see it once more before I leave
I still feel the sting in my hand from when I hit you
I keep your picture tidy and safe in a shrine
And hope that in time, in time, in time
We'll have a house on the shore that showers my soul
Washes away the violence that runs in my blood
Drains the pain that I have caused you
Down through
loungefly92
Around 1:45, love that little riff. Patience is key with this band. You are rewarded with such beauty if you take in the entire song.
Gardner
True
Steve Osika
The low C hits so nicely
drkam6
This song is a masterpiece, lyrically and musically. The acoustic guitar is pure gold. Kozelek's voice is unreal. The song resonates like inside of a cathedral.
Copper
I walked down the hill
Sluggishly and frail
The wind blew hard, hard on me
I imagined it, your ghost white body
Making love with me
I walked down the hill
Found you crying at the window sill
There lies the bridge of our lost dreams
I want to see it once more before I leave
I still feel the sting in my hand from when I hit you
I keep your picture tidy and safe in a shrine
And hope that in time, in time, in time
We'll have a house on the shore that showers my soul
Washes away the violence that runs in my blood
Drains the pain that I have caused you
Down through
Thanatos
"I still feel the sting in my hand from when I hit you." This line always plays on repeat in my head while working.
sedantez24
Why is this perfect song not more popular?
Scott Flores
Truly, I do not have an answer to your question. This song is so solid! I share your sentiment!
Matt
Beautiful song. The lyrics near the end are wonderful and heartfelt.
fthemudo
been listening to this song for the past 12 years. just great