Enchanting Ghost
2.Sufjan Stevens Lyrics


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Tell me what you saw in me
And I'll try to replicate it with a scene
Mm-mmm
If it troubles you to breathe
Wait a moment; I could change the scenery

Don't carry on carrying efforts, oh no, oh oh oh oh
Somewhere there's a room for each of us to grow
And if it pleases you to leave me, just go, oh oh oh oh
Stopping you would stifle your enchanting ghost
Mm-mmm

It's only that I meant to bring
Love and liveliness to your breast on the scene
Mm-mmm
Did you cut your hands on me?
Are my edges sharp? Am I a pest to feed?

Don't carry on carrying regrets, oh no, oh oh oh
Somewhere there's a room for us to speak alone
And if it grieves you to stay here, just go, oh oh oh oh
For I have no spell on you, it's all a ghost
Mm-mmm

I still have the things you gave me
Four anointing oils, the paper weight you made
Mm-mmm
For sure I haven't carried them
Or buried them in the name of your ghost, my friend

Don't carry on carrying efforts
Don't go! No oh oh oh
Stay with me until I sleep within your host
Or if it pleases you to leave me, just go, oh oh oh oh




Stopping you would stifle your enchanting ghost
Mm-mmm

Overall Meaning

The song Enchanting Ghost by Sufjan Stevens is a sorrowful yet beautiful song that describes the aftermath of a broken relationship. The lyrics suggest a conversation between two former lovers, where the singer is asking the other person to explain what they saw in them and how they made them feel. The singer tries to replicate that feeling in a scene, believing that if it pleases the other person, they could change the scenery to make them feel better. However, the other person seems to be carrying regrets and troubles and is unable to reciprocate the feelings.


The song suggests a sense of acceptance of the situation by the singer. He acknowledges that somewhere there's a room for each of them to grow, and if it pleases the other person to leave, they should just go. The singer doesn't want to stop them because it would stifle their "enchanting ghost" - a metaphor for the essence of the person that he fell in love with.


The song's melancholic tone and the use of haunting imagery like ghosts, regret, and sharp edges, alludes to the pain that lingers after a breakup. It highlights the difficulties that come with letting go of a deep intimate relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

Tell me what you saw in me
Share with me what qualities of my personality or behavior you admired


And I'll try to replicate it with a scene
I will try to create a similar scenario or atmosphere that attracted you to me in the first place


If it troubles you to breathe
If you are feeling uncomfortable in this space, emotionally or physically


Wait a moment; I could change the scenery
Give me a chance to alter the surroundings or setting to something more comfortable for you


Don't carry on carrying efforts, oh no, oh oh oh oh
Stop putting in effort into something that isn't working or causing you distress


Somewhere there's a room for each of us to grow
There's opportunity for personal growth, whether existing separately or together


And if it pleases you to leave me, just go, oh oh oh oh
If you feel like our relationship isn't serving you anymore, it's okay to leave


Stopping you would stifle your enchanting ghost
Preventing you from leaving would harm your intangible and captivating presence


It's only that I meant to bring
My intention was to provide


Love and liveliness to your breast on the scene
Romantic love and excitement in your life


Did you cut your hands on me?
Did my actions or words harm you?


Are my edges sharp? Am I a pest to feed?
Is my personality too intense or overwhelming for you?


Don't carry on carrying regrets, oh no, oh oh oh
Stop feeling guilty or remorseful for past mistakes


Somewhere there's a room for us to speak alone
There's space for us to have a private conversation and find a resolution


For I have no spell on you, it's all a ghost
I don't have any control over you, only a memory or illusion of our relationship remains


I still have the things you gave me
I have physical objects that you gave me as a reminder of our relationship


Four anointing oils, the paper weight you made
The items could hold significant sentimental value or represent our shared memories


For sure I haven't carried them
I haven't left them behind or forgotten about them


Or buried them in the name of your ghost, my friend
I didn't dispose of them in an attempt to erase or forget you


Don't go! No oh oh oh
I don't want you to leave


Stay with me until I sleep within your host
Remain with me until I'm no longer able to physically be with you


Or if it pleases you to leave me, just go, oh oh oh oh
If it's what you want, it's okay to exit our relationship


Stopping you would stifle your enchanting ghost
Preventing you from leaving would harm your intangible and captivating presence




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Sufjan Stevens

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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