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I Speak Because I Can
Laura Marling Lyrics
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Left me a poor and lonely wife
I cooked the meals and he got the life
And now I'm just out for the rest of my time
For me
For he
For my
To anyone I trust enough to listen.
You speak because you can
To anyone who'll hear what you say.
I swear it was not my choice
I used to be so kind.
Never road my bike down to the sea
Never finished that letter I was writing.
Never got up and shared anything
For me
For he
For my
Oh graceful sleeper
Midnight dreamer
I'm flawed by your sound.
I'm flawed by your sound.
I swear it was not my choice.
To reach out for someone wise.
I used to be so kind.
I used to be so kind.
In the breaking of the morning you'll be dancing on the soft lawn
You'll be sinking at the anchor that stopped you from taking my gold
You'll be running up the highway singing "I'm the king the king of you all!"
When you look back to where you started I'll be there waving you on.
I never road my bike down to the sea
Never quite figured out what I believe
Never got up and shared anything
For me
For he
For my
The opening lyrics of "I Speak Because I Can" by Laura Marling are powerful and emotional. The song begins with the confession of a woman whose husband has recently abandoned her, leaving her feeling poor and lonely. She reflects on the fact that she cooked the meals while he enjoyed the benefits of her labor. Now, she's left to her own devices for the rest of her time. The song is essentially a narrative about a woman seeking her voice and identity after experiencing heartbreak.
In the chorus, the woman declares her newfound willingness to express herself because she can. She notes the importance of having trustworthy listeners in her life. The phrase "I used to be so kind" is repeated like a melancholic refrain, suggesting that heartbreak has taken its toll on her personality. The rest of the song is a series of musings about missed opportunities and what could have been. She never rode her bike to the sea, never finished writing a letter, never shared anything. These regrets weigh heavily on her as she contemplates what might have come of her life if she had been more bold and assertive.
In "I Speak Because I Can," Laura Marling demonstrates her ability to write lyrics that are both direct and nuanced. The song is relatable on many levels, as anyone who has experienced heartbreak can attest. The story of a woman searching for her voice and identity is a familiar one that many can relate to.
Line by Line Meaning
My husband left me last night
My spouse abandoned me yesterday
Left me a poor and lonely wife
Leaving me with no resources or companionship
I cooked the meals and he got the life
I was the homemaker while he lived the good life
And now I'm just out for the rest of my time
I am done with sacrificing my life for others
For me
I want to do things for myself
For he
I won't do things for him anymore
For my
I will start caring for my own needs
I speak because I can
I express my thoughts because I am able to
To anyone I trust enough to listen.
Only to people I have confidence in
You speak because you can
You voice your opinions because you have the ability to do so
To anyone who'll hear what you say.
To anyone who will lend an ear
I swear it was not my choice
I didn't choose to be this way
I used to be so kind.
I once was compassionate.
Never road my bike down to the sea
I never did things I wanted to as a child
Never finished that letter I was writing.
I left some things unfinished
Never got up and shared anything
I never spoke up about my feelings
For me
I want to do things I never did before
For he
I won't hold back because of him anymore
For my
It's time to prioritize my needs
Oh graceful sleeper
A peaceful sleeping person
Midnight dreamer
Someone who dreams at night
I'm flawed by your sound.
Your breathing disturbs me
I'm flawed by your sound.
Your breathing disturbs me
I swear it was not my choice.
This is the way I am
To reach out for someone wise.
I need someone to talk to
I used to be so kind.
I once had a kinder disposition.
In the breaking of the morning you'll be dancing on the soft lawn
You will be carefree and happy in the morning
You'll be sinking at the anchor that stopped you from taking my gold
You'll regret not accepting what I offered you
You'll be running up the highway singing "I'm the king the king of you all!"
You'll be confident and free
When you look back to where you started I'll be there waving you on.
I'll be supportive when you reflect on your journey.
I never road my bike down to the sea
I didn't do what I wanted as a child
Never quite figured out what I believe
I haven't fully discovered my beliefs
Never got up and shared anything
I never spoke about what I felt or thought
For me
I want to make my own choices
For he
I won't hold back because of him anymore
For my
I need to prioritize my needs
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: LAURA BEATRICE MARLING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind