Sorrow
National The Lyrics

The song "Sorrow" by The National is a heart-wrenching depiction of the pain and anguish caused by loss, heartbreak, and grief. The opening line "Sorrow found me when I was young" sets the tone for the entire song - a story of a person who has been living with sorrow and struggling to cope with it throughout their life. The repetition of the word "sorrow" in the chorus reinforces the feeling of hopelessness and despair that the singer is experiencing.

The lyrics describe how sorrow has penetrated every aspect of the singer’s life; from the pills they take to deal with it, to the food they consume. The line "Sorrow's my body on the waves" is a powerful metaphor for the feeling of being swept away by despair, with no control over one's emotions or circumstances. The line "I live in a city sorrow built" cleverly flips the idea of "the city that built me" and suggests the idea that sorrow is a pervasive aspect of modern city life.

The chorus shares the singer's desperate plea for support during their time of grief - "Don't leave my hyper heart alone on the water, cover me in rag and bone sympathy." The reference to rag and bone sympathy may suggest the idea of finding comfort in something old or discarded, which highlights the feeling of being discarded or left behind after experiencing a loss. The song comes full circle with the closing line "Cause I don't wanna get over you, I don't wanna get over you" which emphasizes the singer's struggle to come to terms with the reality of their loss.