The False Husband
Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan Lyrics

The lyrics of "The False Husband" are about someone who is searching for a lover who has disappeared. The repetition of the lines "Where are you've been my darling? Where are you've been my friend?" reflect the singer's desperation and longing to find this person. The verse about the crow flying past the window sill suggests that the singer has been taken away, either physically or emotionally, by something else or someone else, potentially the person they are searching for. The chorus repeats the same question about their whereabouts, emphasizing the singer's frustration and uncertainty.

The second verse reveals that the person they are searching for had been dishonest in their love, with "your tongue working overtime," perhaps lying to the singer about their true feelings. The line "Love foregone and life's so good" suggests that the person may have ended the relationship for superficial reasons, leaving the singer feeling hurt and confused. The final verse, with the line "I've been chasing up loftier mountains," reflects the singer's determination to continue searching for this person even though it may be against their own will, and despite the other person's apparent disinterest in rekindling the relationship.

Overall, "The False Husband" is a hauntingly beautiful ballad about unrequited love and the pain of searching for someone who may not want to be found. The repetition of the same question and the emotive language used throughout the song convey the singer's frustration and sadness, while also capturing the universal emotions of love and loss.