Mark Lenover is a singer/songwriter who has been writing and recording musi… Read Full Bio ↴Mark Lenover is a singer/songwriter who has been writing and recording music for over a decade. In that time he has independently released seven full length albums and three EPs. His material covers a wide variety of subjects, such as social reform, gender politics and mental illness and recovery.

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Burying Bernadette
Mark Lenover Lyrics

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I buried a friend today
Poor thing, she went in a common sort of way
Such a pretty face, balanced on a bottle-neck
It makes you wonder why they'd bother
Sewing it back on
Do you think she came clean in the bath?
Bernadette lost her head
For a drink and a cigarette

Now you can see,
What she missed, in the mirror that she kissed
In what was wiped clean
Do you remember that scene?
I remember it clearly
Do you think
She came clean in the sink,
Holding her hair back
Gulping the air back?
Do you think she
Slipped out feeling sorry
For herself
And nobody else?
She should have been left with something to write with
Or at least someone to die with
Did you see how they cut her hair off?

Oh, what does she care now?
Give us something to tear down

Overall Meaning

The song "Burying Bernadette" by Mark Lenover is a haunting and poignant tribute to a friend who has passed away due to alcoholism. The singer of the song laments the loss of his friend, Bernadette, who died in a "common sort of way" and was buried that day. The song describes the physical trauma of Bernadette's death, with her head severed in a tragic manner that makes the listener wonder why they bothered to sew it back on. The song also explores the emotional consequences of Bernadette's addiction, with the singer asking if she came clean in the bath, gulping the air back as she slipped out feeling sorry for herself and nobody else.

The song is a powerful commentary on the destructive nature of addiction and the deep sense of loss that it brings. The lyrics are filled with vivid imagery and rich, textured language that conveys the complex emotions of the singer. Through his words, we get a sense of the intimacy and depth of the relationship between the singer and Bernadette, and the profound sense of sadness and grief that he feels at her passing.

Line by Line Meaning

I buried a friend today
The singer attended a funeral and buried someone they knew

Poor thing, she went in a common sort of way
The deceased passed away in a typical or ordinary manner

Such a pretty face, balanced on a bottle-neck
The deceased was attractive, but may have struggled with alcoholism or addiction

It makes you wonder why they'd bother Sewing it back on
The singer questions the point of reattaching the deceased's head after she lost it

Do you think she came clean in the bath?
The singer speculates on whether the deceased had a moment of clarity before she died

Bernadette lost her head For a drink and a cigarette
The deceased may have died due to reckless behavior fueled by addiction

Now you can see, What she missed, in the mirror that she kissed In what was wiped clean
The singer notes that in death, the deceased is no longer able to live the life she wanted or see her reflection clearly

Do you remember that scene? I remember it clearly
The singer recalls a particular moment or memory involving the deceased

Do you think She came clean in the sink, Holding her hair back Gulping the air back?
The singer wonders if the deceased attempted to redeem herself moments before her death, and may have tried to vomit or breathe properly

Do you think she Slipped out feeling sorry For herself And nobody else?
The singer ponders whether the deceased was remorseful before she passed away, and may have only thought of her own situation

She should have been left with something to write with Or at least someone to die with
The singer feels that the deceased was not given an opportunity to document or share her story, and may have died alone

Did you see how they cut her hair off?
The singer observes that the deceased's hair was cut, likely as part of the burial process

Oh, what does she care now? Give us something to tear down
The singer acknowledges that the deceased is no longer alive to care about what is done to her, and suggests that people often like to criticize or tear down others who are no longer around

Contributed by Samantha H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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