Kris Delmhorst (reputedly born in 1970 in Brooklyn) is an American folk sin… Read Full Bio ↴Kris Delmhorst (reputedly born in 1970 in Brooklyn) is an American folk singer based in Boston. In 1998, after several years of experience of performing live, Delmhorst finally finished recording her debut album, Appetite. In the same year she was involved in producing the Respond compilation, a fundraiser for domestic violence groups, which included her song "Weatherman".

In 1999, Delmhorst released a live album with The Vinal Avenue String Band, consisting of herself, Sean Staples, and Ry Cavanaugh.

Delmhorst is married to Jeffrey Foucault. In 2003, Delmhorst, Foucault, and Peter Mulvey released an album entitled Redbird.

Delmhorst's more recent albums include Strange Conversation (2006), Shotgun Singer (2008), and Cars (2011).

Words Fail You
Kris Delmhorst Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I've been dying this whole evening
Just to reach out for your hand
And I've been trying to keep believing
That I might ever understand

Now the hour is getting late
And the moon is sinking low
You find yourself in such a state

With so far still to go

And I know words fail you
Words fail you
I know words fail you
And I know sometimes I do too

Now this Toyota is getting crowded
With all the things that no one's saying
And if I opened up my mouth
Now I think I would be praying

I watch you fight your demon
Don't know when to step in
You wrestle with your angel
'Cause you hate to let it win

And I know words fail you
Words fail you
I know words fail you
Well baby sometimes they fail me too

You hatch your little fishes
Throw them straight out in the cold deep sea
You're hatching out a hurricane
Trying to keep it all from me

And I know words fail you
Words fail you

I know words fail you
And I know sometimes I do too

Overall Meaning

The opening lines of the song "I've been dying this whole evening, Just to reach out for your hand" immediately sets the mood of the song which may seem unassuming at a glance, but it's clear to see that there's a deep longing for connection and understanding expressed within those lines. As the song builds, it becomes apparent that the artist is trying to reach out and connect with someone who is struggling with bottled up emotions, as evidenced by the line "Now this Toyota is getting crowded, with all the things that no one's saying". The artist wants to help but is also struggling to find the right words and trying to keep the faith that the other person will make it through whatever they're going through.

The song uses imagery such as "hatching little fishes" and "wrestling with angels" to convey the idea that the other person is going through a difficult period where they feel they have to take on everything themselves, and those around them can't really understand their struggles. The chorus "Words fail you, and I know sometimes I do too" reinforces the idea that sometimes, there are no words that could encapsulate what someone is going through, and that all we can do is be present for them and offer support in any way we can.

Overall, "Words Fail You" is a heartfelt song that touches on themes of struggle, connection, and the ineffability of the human experience. Kris Delmhorst masterfully captures the complex emotions and thoughts that come with trying to navigate our relationships, and the times words just aren't enough.

Line by Line Meaning

I've been dying this whole evening
I've been longing to hold your hand all night

Just to reach out for your hand
Wanting to touch you so badly

And I've been trying to keep believing
I've been struggling to hold onto hope

That I might ever understand
To comprehend why things are the way they are

Now the hour is getting late
It's getting late

And the moon is sinking low
The night is ending

You find yourself in such a state
You're in a difficult situation

With so far still to go
The journey ahead is daunting

And I know words fail you
I understand that words are inadequate

Words fail you
Words cannot capture the complexity of the situation

I know words fail you
I empathize because I understand