Carol of St. Benjamin the Bearded One
Sufjan Stevens Lyrics


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I can see you there
Oh, in the snowbank
With a snowman at your side
In my heart and in my spirit I concede
The things you want in life you have to really need
This is a matter of life

Only parents cry
Oh, when they want to
Show the world they're still alive
And in my heart and in my spirit I believe
The draft beneath the door frame comes to challenge me
This is a matter of life

Oh, be kind to me
Oh, Benjamin who
Keeps his hands inside his sleeves
And in my heart and in my spirit I can read
The way he brushed his beard against the cedar tree
Keeping his eyes upon me

I can see you there
Oh, in the snowbank
With a snowman at your side




And in my heart and in my spirit I can see
The things you want in life you have to really need

Overall Meaning

The song "Carol of St. Benjamin the Bearded One" by Sufjan Stevens is a hauntingly beautiful tune that seems to describe a wintertime scene where the singer is observing another person who is standing in a snowbank with a snowman next to them. The lyrics are melancholy and introspective, almost as if the singer is reflecting on their own life and the struggles that they are facing. The first verse speaks to the idea that the things you want in life must be necessities, not just wants. The second verse suggests that only parents cry in order to show that they are still alive, perhaps a commentary on the need for validation and attention. The final verse is an appeal to the bearded figure of St. Benjamin, who is implored to be kind to the singer and keep his hands inside his sleeves.


Line by Line Meaning

I can see you there
The singer visualizes the subject in the snowbank.


Oh, in the snowbank
The subject is in a snowbank.


With a snowman at your side
The subject is with a snowman.


In my heart and in my spirit I concede
The artist acknowledges and accepts in their soul.


The things you want in life you have to really need
Necessity is a requirement to fulfill desires.


This is a matter of life
It is a serious issue.


Only parents cry
The only people who cry are parents.


Oh, when they want to
Crying is a choice for parents.


Show the world they're still alive
It's a way for parents to prove they're still alive.


And in my heart and in my spirit I believe
The artist believes in their heart and soul.


The draft beneath the door frame comes to challenge me
The singer is being challenged by a draft.


Oh, be kind to me
The artist is asking the subject to be kind.


Oh, Benjamin who
The subject is addressed as Benjamin.


Keeps his hands inside his sleeves
Benjamin keeps his hands warm inside his sleeves.


And in my heart and in my spirit I can read
The singer understands in their heart and soul.


The way he brushed his beard against the cedar tree
The artist observes how Benjamin brushed his beard against a cedar tree.


Keeping his eyes upon me
Benjamin is watching the artist.


And in my heart and in my spirit I can see
The singer understands visually in their heart and soul.


The things you want in life you have to really need
Necessity is a requirement to fulfill desires.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: SUFJAN STEVENS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@magicknightrayearthhope6138

Shouts out to a woman I look up to that I follow on tumblr, who mentioned this song. I love it!!! I feel so soothed and safe right now. Lovely songs as always

@livebuddy2166

Guy i met on Omegle and accidentally got disconnected

@squirrelbutler2119

He's....dead, now....

Permanently disconnected

I thought you'd want to know

@lombmusic07

@@squirrelbutler2119 how mean of you

@squirrelbutler2119

Mean?

To say that St. Benjamin The Bearded One is dead?

Oh, no, honey. That's just accurate.

I'm guessing you don't have much going on in your life....

@@lombmusic07