03 skinny love
Bon Iver Lyrics

Come on skinny love just last the year
The singer urges their lover to hold on to their relationship for one year, despite its fragility and the temporary nature of their emotional connection.

Pour a little salt we were never here
The singer wants to leave no trace of their relationship, as if it never happened, by pretending that their love was nothing but a meaningless encounter.

My, my, my, my, my, my, my, my
This repeated phrase expresses the confusion, desperation, and overwhelming emotions of the singer.

Staring at the sink of blood and crushed veneer
The artist is probably looking at the aftermath of a violent or painful event or experiencing a mental breakdown, feeling overwhelmed by their own emotions, and realizing that their relationship is falling apart.

I tell my love to wreck it all
The artist acknowledges that their love is at the brink of collapse and encourages their lover to end it, destroying everything they have built together.

Cut out all the ropes and let me fall
The singer wants their lover to let them go, break all ties, and accept the consequences of the separation, even if it means falling apart.

Right in the moment this order's tall
This line suggests that although everything seems to be collapsing, there is still a chance for a powerful, transformative moment.

And I told you to be patient
The artist has given their lover advice to weather the storm, perhaps asking them to stay with them for a while in hopes of salvaging the relationship.

And I told you to be fine
The artist wants their lover to be okay and handle the situation with poise, even if things are falling apart.

And I told you to be balanced
The artist is advising their lover to find equilibrium and not let their emotions get the better of them.

And I told you to be kind
The singer is asking their lover to be compassionate and gentle, even in the face of a difficult situation.

And in the morning I'll be with you
The artist promises to be by their lover's side and support them through the hardest moments.

But it will be a different kind
Despite the promise of support, the singer acknowledges that their relationship will never be the same again, suggesting an irrevocable break in trust.

And I'll be holding all the tickets
The singer takes responsibility for the relationship falling apart and acknowledges that they are the cause of the pain.

And you'll be owning all the fines
The lover will bear the consequences of the relationship falling apart and will suffer the loss and pain associated with it.

Come on skinny love, what happened here?
The artist wants to know what went wrong in their relationship and why they are now loveless and estranged.

Suckle on the hope in light brassieres
The artist suggests that despite the desolation, there is still a tiny glimmer of hope for them to cling to, like a faint light in the darkness.

Sullen load is full, so slow on the split
This line suggests that the singer is carrying a heavy emotional burden, which is now affecting their relationship, making it harder to keep going.

And now all your love is wasted
The singer realizes that despite their best efforts and promises, their lover's love was not enough to sustain the relationship.

And then who the hell was I?
The artist is questioning their own identity and the worth of their own love, as they failed to keep the relationship alive despite their best efforts.

And I'm breaking at the britches
The artist is metaphorically falling apart at the seams, losing control of their emotions, and struggling to cope with the reality of their failed relationship.

And at the end of all your lines
This line suggests that the relationship has reached a conclusion, and now the only thing left is to accept the outcome and move on.

Who will love you?
The singer wonders who will love their lover now that they have broken up.

Who will fight?
The artist is asking their lover who will be there to support them and fight for them now that they are alone.

Who will fall far behind?
This line suggests that the singer fears that their lover has lost themselves and their sense of identity, and wonders who will be left behind and forgotten now that the relationship has ended.