Precious
Depeche Mode Lyrics


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Precious and fragile things
Need special handling
My God, what have we done to you?

We always try to share
The tenderest of care
Now look what we have put you through
Things get damaged
Things get broken
I thought we'd manage
But words left unspoken
Left us so brittle
There was so little left to give

Angels with silver wings
Shouldn't know suffering
I wish I could take the pain for you

If God has a master plan
That only He understands
I hope it's your eyes He's seeing through

Things get damaged
Things get broken
I thought we'd manage
But words left unspoken
Left us so brittle
There was so little left to give

I pray you learn to trust
Have faith in both of us
And keep room in your hearts for two

Things get damaged
Things get broken
I thought we'd manage
But words left unspoken




Left us so brittle
There was so little left to give

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to “Precious” by Depeche Mode are rich with meaning and metaphor. At first glance, it appears to be a song about a damaged or broken relationship, but on a deeper level, it speaks to the way that we as humans treat the fragile things in our lives, including our planet and our spiritual beliefs.


The opening lines set the stage for the song’s central theme: “Precious and fragile things, need special handling. My God, what have we done to you?” Here, the singer is lamenting the fact that we do not treat precious things, whether they be objects or ideas or relationships, with the care and reverence that they deserve. He goes on to say that we always try to share “the tenderest of care,” but end up causing damage anyway.


The chorus of the song confirms this idea, repeating the phrase “things get damaged, things get broken” several times, followed by the heart-wrenching line “there was so little left to give”. This line speaks to the reality that no matter how hard we try to care for the things we love, we are often left with nothing but brokenness and a sense of loss. The singer wishes he could take the pain away from the precious thing he is addressing, but acknowledges that he cannot – he can only hope that somehow, the damage can be undone, and trust and faith can be restored.


Overall, “Precious” is a powerful and poignant song that speaks to the fragility and vulnerability of the things we hold most dear. Through the metaphor of a damaged relationship, Depeche Mode urges us to treat each other, and the world around us, with the care and reverence it deserves.


Line by Line Meaning

Precious and fragile things
Things that are valuable and delicate


Need special handling
Require particular care and attention


My God, what have we done to you?
A rhetorical question expressing regret or guilt for something that was done wrong


We always try to share
Aim to distribute or impart something equally


The tenderest of care
Affectionate and gentle concern


Now look what we have put you through
An acknowledgment of distress caused, and an expression of remorse


Things get damaged
Items can suffer physical harm, loss or deterioration


Things get broken
Something can be disrupted or completely ruined


I thought we'd manage
Belief that the situation would be under control


But words left unspoken
Things that were left unsaid or not expressed


Left us so brittle
Vulnerable and easily damaged


There was so little left to give
Very little remained to be supplied or used


Angels with silver wings
A metaphor for something that is pure and beautiful


Shouldn't know suffering
Should not experience pain or hardship


I wish I could take the pain for you
I desire to alleviate your distress or suffering


If God has a master plan
Hypothesis that God has a purpose or strategy for everything


That only He understands
Something that only God comprehends or knows


I hope it's your eyes He's seeing through
I wish that God views everything through your perception or experiences


I pray you learn to trust
I hope that you can have faith and reliance on someone or something


Have faith in both of us
Believe in the credibility and capabilities of each one of us


And keep room in your hearts for two
Leave a portion of your emotions and feelings for the wellbeing of others




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Martin Lee Gore

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@Tritium5678

Precious
Depeche Mode
Precious and fragile things
Need special handling
My God what have we done to you?
We always tried to share
The tenderest of care
Now look what we have put you through
Things get damaged, things get broken
I thought we'd manage, but words left unspoken
Left us so brittle
There was so little left to give
Angels with silver wings
Shouldn't know suffering
I wish I could take the pain for you
If God has a master plan
That only He understands
I hope it's your eyes He's seeing through
Things get damaged, things get broken
I thought we'd manage, but words left unspoken
Left us so brittle
There was so little left to give
I pray you learn to trust
Have faith in both of us
And keep room in your hearts for two
Things get damaged, things get broken
I thought we'd manage, but words left unspoken
Left us so brittle
There was so little left to give



@gastonrafa

Lyrics :
Precious and fragile things
Need special handling
My God what have we done to you?

We always tried to share
The tenderest of care
Now look what we have put you through

Things get damaged, things get broken
I thought we'd manage, but words left unspoken
Left us so brittle
There was so little left to give

Angels with silver wings
Shouldn't know suffering
I wish I could take the pain for you

If God has a master plan
That only He understands
I hope it's your eyes He's seeing through

Things get damaged, things get broken
I thought we'd manage, but words left unspoken
Left us so brittle
There was so little left to give

I pray you learn to trust
Have faith in both of us
And keep room in your hearts for two

Things get damaged, things get broken
I thought we'd manage, but words left unspoken
Left us so brittle
There was so little left to give



@rubenjaramillo4047

Precious and fragile things
Need special handling
My God what have we done to You?

We always try to share
The tenderest of care
Now look what we have put You through

Things get damaged
Things get broken
I thought we'd manage
But words left unspoken
Left us so brittle
There was so little left to give

Angels with silver wings
Shouldn't know suffering
I wish I could take the pain for you

If God has a master plan
That only He understands
I hope it's your eyes He's seeing through

Things get damaged
Things get broken
I thought we'd manage
But words left unspoken
Left us so brittle
There was so little left to give

I pray you learn to trust
Have faith in both of us
And keep room in your heart for two

Things get damaged
Things get broken
I thought we'd manage
But words left unspoken
Left us so brittle
There was so little left to give



@viktorijamartinkute5048

LYRICS

Precious and fragile things
Need special handling
My God what have we done to you?
We always tried to share
The tenderest of care
Now look what we have put you through
Things get damaged, things get broken
I thought we'd manage, but words left unspoken
Left us so brittle
There was so little left to give
Angels with silver wings
Shouldn't know suffering
I wish I could take the pain for you
If God has a master plan
That only He understands
I hope it's your eyes He's seeing through
Things get damaged, things get broken
I thought we'd manage, but words left unspoken
Left us so brittle
There was so little left to give
I pray you learn to trust
Have faith in both of us
And keep room in your hearts for two
Things get damaged, things get broken
I thought we'd manage, but words left unspoken
Left us so brittle
There was so little left to give



All comments from YouTube:

@tooty1981

This song was written by Martin about his divorce and the pain it caused his children

A masterpiece

@bigwille11

Martins writing ✍️ always from the 💕🙅‍♀️

@nancycortez1231

Awwwww so deep

@DavidBrown-qp8zn

Really? I had no idea. I think Martin is brilliant and a humble guy and unassuming.

@godssoldiergodssoldier

BS you don't know the world of Depeche mode

@godssoldiergodssoldier

@@CandyAppleBlack what , why do say that

61 More Replies...

@X_DeM0RtE_X

This has to be one of their most melanconic and peaceful-sounding songs. I love Depeche Mode. ♥

@renataalmaraz4075

Matrix vibes

@jacobramirez4189

It's not bad for an '05 hit. 💎

@gfox9295

@@jacobramirez4189 Sounds like it could be from the 80s or from their latest album this year. Great timeless sound.

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