Emilie Autumn Liddell (born on September 22, 1979), better known by her sta… Read Full Bio ↴Emilie Autumn Liddell (born on September 22, 1979), better known by her stage name Emilie Autumn, is an American singer-songwriter, poet, and violinist. Autumn draws influence for her music—the style of which she has alternatively labeled as "Victoriandustrial" and glam rock—from plays, novels, and history, particularly the Victorian era. Performing with her all-female backing band The Bloody Crumpets, Autumn incorporates elements of classical music, cabaret, electronica, and glam rock with theatrics, and burlesque.

Growing up in Malibu, California, she began learning the violin at the age of four and left regular school five years later with the goal of becoming a world-class violinist; she practiced eight or nine hours a day and read a wide range of literature. Progressing to writing her own music, she studied under various teachers and went to Indiana University, which she left over issues regarding the relationship between classical music and the appearance of the performer. Through her own independent label Traitor Records, Autumn debuted with her classical album On a Day: Music for Violin & Continuo, followed by the release in 2003 of her album Enchant.

She appeared in singer Courtney Love's backing band on her 2004 America's Sweetheart tour and returned to Europe. She released the 2006 album Opheliac with the German label Trisol Music Group. In 2007, she released Laced/Unlaced; the re-release of On a Day... appeared as Laced with songs on the electric violin as Unlaced. She later left Trisol to join New York-based The End Records in 2009 and release Opheliac in the United States, where previously it had only been available as an import. Currently she is on tour to promote her newest album Fight Like A Girl. She played the role of Painted Doll in Darren Lynn Bousman's 2012 film The Devil's Carnival.

Second Hand Faith
Emilie Autumn Lyrics

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I'll take my hope where I can find it
Seems I find it here in you
Hang your curtain get behind it
I won't even ask for proof
Go ahead and read my fortune
Cast your dice devine my fate
I just want to know I have one
Tell me that it's not too late for

[Chorus]
A little second hand faith
A line upon my palm that I can just erase
'Cause I need to believe in a hierarchic grace
I can do without a book I'll never read
Second hand faith is all I need

I will pay you for your trouble
I will pay you for your Time
Steal my wallet charge me double
All I've come for is a sign
Is there someone who can help me
Up above the clouds I see
Sitting in a Chinese restaurant
Someone comes to offer me

[Chorus]

'Cause this feeling of forgiveness means much more to me
Than that paper on the wall that cost you all of ten bucks
If an ancient word, a heathen spell can salvage me
I will believe in miracles 'cause it would take a saint to set me free

And if my luck don't last too long
Or if my life gets worse
I'll be back for another song
A blessing or a curse
And I'll never ask for refunds
'Cause I know you're not to blame
Take more blood more hair more money
I'll do anything to claim

[Chorus]

What somebody threw away
May just get me through the day
I can do without a book I'll never read

Second hand faith is all I need
Second hand faith is all I need

Overall Meaning

In Emilie Autumn's "Second Hand Faith," the singer seeks out hope and faith in something higher than herself. She finds her hope in a psychic, asking them to read her fortune, tell her she has a fate, and say that it's not too late for her to find some form of grace. The singer is willing to pay the psychic, and ultimately decides that this "second hand faith" is all she needs to believe in something greater than herself.

The chorus echoes the theme of the song, as the singer repeats that she needs "a little second hand faith." She explains that she can do without a religious book she'll never read, and that this faith she seeks is just a line upon her palm that she can erase if need be. The singer's faith is not strong enough to stand the test of time or adversity, but it gets her through her day-to-day struggles.

This song explores the idea that hope and faith are not always strong and unwavering, but rather can be easily shaken or broken. It also touches on the desire to believe in something greater than oneself, even if it is a small shred of faith or hope.

Line by Line Meaning

I'll take my hope where I can find it
I find hope in unexpected places

Seems I find it here in you
I find hope in the person I am seeking help from

Hang your curtain get behind it I won't even ask for proof
I won't question your methods, just help me

Go ahead and read my fortune Cast your dice divine my fate I just want to know I have one Tell me that it's not too late for
I believe in fate and want to know if it's not too late for me to change mine

A little second hand faith A line upon my palm that I can just erase 'Cause I need to believe in a hierarchic grace I can do without a book I'll never read Second hand faith is all I need
I need to believe in something greater than myself, even if I have doubts about it

I will pay you for your trouble I will pay you for your Time Steal my wallet charge me double All I've come for is a sign
I am willing to pay for help, even if I don't get the answers I'm looking for

Is there someone who can help me Up above the clouds I see Sitting in a Chinese restaurant Someone comes to offer me
I am looking for guidance from a higher power, and I am open to receiving help in unconventional ways

'Cause this feeling of forgiveness means much more to me Than that paper on the wall that cost you all of ten bucks If an ancient word, a heathen spell can salvage me I will believe in miracles 'cause it would take a saint to set me free
Forgiveness means more to me than tangible proof of a higher power, and I am open to any form of help that can save me

And if my luck don't last too long Or if my life gets worse I'll be back for another song A blessing or a curse And I'll never ask for refunds 'Cause I know you're not to blame Take more blood more hair more money I'll do anything to claim
I am willing to keep seeking guidance, even if things don't improve, and I won't blame anyone for the outcomes

What somebody threw away May just get me through the day I can do without a book I'll never read Second hand faith is all I need Second hand faith is all I need
Something others may deem insignificant may be just enough for me to believe

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EMILIE AUTUMN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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