What Can I Do?
Rufus Wainwright With Antony and the Johnsons Lyrics
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When the bird's got to die
What can I do
When she's too weak to fly
What can I do
When she's calling my name
She's crying
Mama, help me to live
Mama, help me to live
To live, to live, to live
What can I do
What can I do
What can I do
The lyrics of Rufus Wainwright and Antony's song "What Can I Do?" can be interpreted in different ways. However, one possible reading is that it portrays the feeling of helplessness that comes with witnessing a loved one slowly losing their battle against illness or life in general. The bird in the lyrics can be seen as a metaphor for the person in question, who is too weak to carry on, and is calling out for help to stay alive. The repetition of the line "What can I do" further emphasizes the sense of powerlessness and the frustration that comes with not being able to change the inevitable.
The line "Mama, help me to live" also adds another layer of emotional depth to the song. It reiterates the idea of the vulnerability of life, and how we all depend on someone to help us through our struggles, just as a little bird would depend on its mother to survive. The song paints a vivid picture of a heartbreaking scenario, where the singer wrestles with feelings of guilt, regret, and immense sadness, knowing that there is not much they can do to save the person they love.
Line by Line Meaning
What can I do
I'm feeling helpless and asking for guidance
When the bird's got to die
When death is inevitable
When she's too weak to fly
When someone is too weak to carry on
When she's calling my name
When someone is reaching out for help
She's crying
She's in pain
Mama, help me to live
A cry for help to survive
To live, to live, to live
An urgent plea to continue living
What can I do
Still feeling helpless and seeking guidance
What can I do
Continuing to ask for help
What can I do
The desperation continues
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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