Epilogue
Sting Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Lay my head on the surgeon's table
Take my fingerprints if you are able
Pick my brains pick my pockets
Steal my eyeballs and come back for the sockets
Run every kind of test from A to Z
And you'll still know nothing 'bout me

Run my name though your computer
Mention me in passing to your college tutor
Check my records check my facts
Check if I paid my income tax
Pore over everything in my C.V.
But you'll still know nothing 'bout me
You'll still know nothing 'bout me

You don't need to read no books on my history
I'm a simple man, it's no big mystery
In the cold weather, a hand needs a glove
At times like this, a lonely man like me needs love

Search my house with a fine tooth comb
Turn over everything 'cause I won't be at home




Set up your microscope and tell me what you see
You'll still know nothing 'bout me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Sting's song "Epilogue" speaks to the idea of the limits of knowledge and how even the most thorough examination of a person's life will not reveal everything there is to know about them. The lyrics start with the singer suggesting that they are willing to undergo an invasive and exhaustive examination to demonstrate that even the most thorough examination of their physical self will not truly reveal who they are as a person. They say "lay my head on the surgeon's table, take my fingerprints if you are able, pick my brains, pick my pockets, steal my eyeballs, and come back for the sockets, run every kind of test from A to Z, and you'll still know nothing 'bout me".


The singer goes on to suggest that an examination of their life, both personal and professional, would reveal even less about themselves than a physical examination. They say "run my name through your computer, mention me in passing to your college tutor, check my records, check my facts, check if I paid my income tax, pore over everything in my C.V., but you'll still know nothing 'bout me." The last verse suggests that the singer isn't hiding anything, that they are a straightforward person, and that they only require love from others despite their seeming anonymity. They say "you don't need to read no books on my history, I'm a simple man, it's no big mystery, in the cold weather, a hand needs a glove, at times like this, a lonely man like me needs love."


In conclusion, Sting's song "Epilogue" is an existentialist take on self-identity, knowledge, and love. It recognizes that even the most comprehensive examination of a person's physicality, history, and achievements would never fully reveal the essence of who that person is. Ultimately, what a person needs is love, which is universal and ineffable.


Line by Line Meaning

Lay my head on the surgeon's table
If I die, examine my body to the fullest extent possible


Take my fingerprints if you are able
Gather every piece of physical evidence to identify me after death


Pick my brains, pick my pockets
Explore my mind and take anything I possess


Steal my eyeballs and come back for the sockets
Take everything from me, even my most personal possessions


Run every kind of test from A to Z
Conduct every possible examination to understand me


And you'll still know nothing 'bout me
All of this exploration will not reveal my true essence


Run my name though your computer
Search for all electronic records of me


Mention me in passing to your college tutor
Ask others if they know anything about me


Check my records, check my facts
Examine my official documentation to gain insight into my life


Check if I paid my income tax
Review my financial records to learn more about me


Pore over everything in my C.V.
Study my resume in detail


But you'll still know nothing 'bout me
Despite all of this research, you will not understand me


You'll still know nothing 'bout me
Repeating the previous line for emphasis


You don't need to read no books on my history
There is no significant history to uncover


I'm a simple man, it's no big mystery
I am not complex or difficult to understand


In the cold weather, a hand needs a glove
In difficult times, everyone needs someone to rely on


At times like this, a lonely man like me needs love
In moments of isolation and desperation, even a simple man needs love


Search my house with a fine tooth comb
Investigate my private spaces meticulously


Turn over everything 'cause I won't be at home
My whereabouts are unknown, so search as thoroughly as you can


Set up your microscope and tell me what you see
Examine my life under a microscope, but you will still not fully comprehend who I am


You'll still know nothing 'bout me
Despite all of these efforts, my true self is unknowable




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STING

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

A Basque folk carol, originally based on Angelus ad virginem, a 13th or 14th Century Latin carol,[2] it was collected by Charles Bordes and then paraphrased into English by Sabine Baring-Gould, who had spent a winter as a boy in the Basque country. The tu


on gabriels_message

Sting's song "Gabriel's Message" is a rendition of the biblical story of the Annunciation, where the angel Gabriel visits Mary to inform her that she is to be the mother of Jesus Christ. The lyrics describe Gabriel's appearance as he descends from heaven with his wings as white as snow and eyes as bright as flames. Upon seeing Mary, Gabriel greets her with the words "All hail, thou lowly maiden Mary, Most highly favored lady," referring to her as a blessed mother and foretelling that her son will be Emmanuel, as prophesized by seers.

Mary's response to Gabriel's message is one of humility and acceptance, as she meekly bows her head and says, "To me be as it pleaseth God," praising and magnifying His holy name. The lyrics are a beautiful interpretation of this pivotal moment in Christian history, showcasing the wonder and awe of Gabriel's visitation, and the steadfast faith and acceptance of Mary's response.

Tommy Wells


on Don't Walk Away - Sting & Youssou N'Dour

I liked the Wild Thornberry's TV series.
What's your favorite episode of the show?

Jesus Ledesma Rios


on Englishman in New York

Thats been good way to learn English, tahnk´s...

Kolektivo Azul


on Russians

Russians <3

More Versions