Harvester Of Hearts
Rufus Wainwright Lyrics
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Then a person should like you
Being that I'm only just a person
What would you do?
If a person should ever like a person
Then a person should like me
Being that you're only just a person
It must be
Still I find it hard to get an answer
From the harvester of hearts
Always find it hard to get an answer
From the harvester of hearts
If a person should ever like a person
How funny that would be
If a person should ever like me
Not that I have that much to offer
God knows I have so much to gain
From the harvester of hearts
From the harvester of pain
If a person should ever like a person
Then a person should be free
Free to like whomever that they want to
Even though it ain't me
Not that I have much to offer
God knows I have so much to gain
From the harvester of hearts
From the harvester of pain
The lyrics of Rufus Wainwright's song Harvester of Hearts are a reflection of the universal human desire for love and acceptance. The singer expresses a hope that if two people ever like each other, they should be free to be together, irrespective of the opinions of others, including the harvester of hearts who the singer seems to be in love with. The song is a contemplation of unrequited love and rejection, with the singer questioning what they would do if they were to express their feelings to the harvester of hearts, and lamenting the difficulty of getting an answer from them.
The line "if a person should ever like a person, how funny that would be" is a poignant statement on the fragility of human relationships, and the fear of rejection that often prevents us from taking a chance on love. The singer acknowledges their own shortcomings, claiming that they don't have much to offer, but hoping that the harvester of hearts would have the grace to accept their love anyway. The repetition of the line "from the harvester of hearts, from the harvester of pain" highlights the power dynamic between the singer and the object of their affection, with the harvester of hearts holding all the cards.
Overall, Harvester of Hearts is a beautiful and melancholic song that speaks to the innermost desires and fears of the human heart.
Line by Line Meaning
If a person should ever like a person
If two people are attracted to each other
Then a person should like you
If I were attracted to someone, it would be you
Being that I'm only just a person
I'm just a regular human being
What would you do?
How would you react?
Then a person should like me
If you were attracted to someone, it would be me
Being that you're only just a person
You're just a regular human being like me
It must be
It's probably true
Still I find it hard to get an answer
I'm having trouble finding out
From the harvester of hearts
From someone who captures hearts
Always find it hard to get an answer
I always struggle to find out
How funny that would be
It would be ironic
Not that I have that much to offer
I don't have a lot to give
God knows I have so much to gain
I have a lot to gain
From the harvester of hearts
From someone who captures hearts
From the harvester of pain
From someone who causes heartbreak
Then a person should be free
If someone is attracted to someone else, they should be able to pursue that freely
Free to like whomever that they want to
Free to be attracted to anyone
Even though it ain't me
Even if they're not attracted to me
God knows I have so much to gain
I have a lot to benefit from
From the harvester of hearts
From someone who captures hearts
From the harvester of pain
From someone who causes heartbreak
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RUFUS WAINWRIGHT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind