Drawn to the Blood
Sufjan Stevens Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm drawn to the blood
The flight of a one-winged dove
How? How did this happen?
How? How did this happen?

The strength of his arm
My lover caught me off guard
How? Head of a rabbit
How? Head of a rabbit

For my prayer has always been love
What did I do to deserve this?

With blood on my sleeve
Delilah, avenge my grief
How? God of Elijah
How? God of Elijah

As fire to the sun
Tell me what I have done
How? Heart of a dragon
How? Heart of a dragon

For my prayer has always been love




What did I do to deserve this now?
How did this happen?

Overall Meaning

In Drawn to the Blood, Sufjan Stevens creates a haunting atmosphere by exploring the idea of not understanding how and why things happen the way they do, particularly in situations of love and betrayal. The phrase "drawn to the blood", suggests a fascination with the darkest parts of our humanity, perhaps even seeking out pain and suffering. The image of a one-winged dove in flight symbolizes a creature that is somehow incomplete or damaged, making it vulnerable and perhaps even doomed.


The second verse takes an unexpected turn, as the focus turns to a lover who catches the singer "off guard", with the contradictory image of a "rabbit head". This could be interpreted in different ways - as a symbol of vulnerability or innocence, or a play on the phrase "like a rabbit caught in headlights". The question "What did I do to deserve this?" is repeated, and the tone shifts to one of rage and a desire for revenge. The reference to Delilah, a biblical figure who betrayed Samson, reinforces the theme of betrayal and highlights the power dynamics in relationships.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm drawn to the blood
I am attracted to the intensity and passion of life


The flight of a one-winged dove
The beauty of an imperfect creature


How? How did this happen?
Questioning how events in life unfold


How? How did this happen?
Questioning how events in life unfold


The strength of his arm
The power and control of a significant person in my life


My lover caught me off guard
My significant other surprised me in a way I wasn't expecting


How? Head of a rabbit
Confusion regarding the strange and unexpected events in life


How? Head of a rabbit
Confusion regarding the strange and unexpected events in life


For my prayer has always been love
My lifelong pursuit and desire has been centered around love


What did I do to deserve this?
Questioning why I am experiencing pain or suffering


With blood on my sleeve
After experiencing emotional pain, my feelings are now exposed


Delilah, avenge my grief
Asking for justice and revenge for my hurt


How? God of Elijah
Pleading to a higher power for retribution and vindication


How? God of Elijah
Expressing faith in a higher power to bring justice


As fire to the sun
As intense and inevitable as the natural elements


Tell me what I have done
Requesting an explanation for why I am experiencing pain or suffering


How? Heart of a dragon
An expression of intensity and strength in the face of adversity


How? Heart of a dragon
An expression of intensity and strength in the face of adversity


For my prayer has always been love
Despite adversity and confusion, my pursuit of love remains constant


What did I do to deserve this now?
Questioning why I am experiencing a new wave of pain or suffering


How did this happen?
Questioning how a specific event or situation came to pass




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Sufjan Stevens

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
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Sylvia C

​@Caleb Kim Because of this lyric in Eugene:


The man who taught me to swim, he couldn't quite say my first name
Like a Father he led community water on my head
And he called me "Subaru"


Sedans was.. active imagination



All comments from YouTube:

noah bard

remixing your own song. After hearing the same song probably a million times when recording it, being able to stray from it and make a remix that sounds this incredible. I think you are the greatest gift, Subaru Sedans

Sylvia C

@Caleb Kim You are very welcome. :-)

Sylvia C

@Caleb Kim https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/20218-carrie-lowell/ Here you can see more about Carrie and Lowell however no one knows the man who called Sufjan "Subaru"

Sylvia C

​@Caleb Kim Because of this lyric in Eugene:


The man who taught me to swim, he couldn't quite say my first name
Like a Father he led community water on my head
And he called me "Subaru"


Sedans was.. active imagination

Ghoulish

noah the thinker oh wow, that last sentence killed me.

Mauricio Ortega

This song could almost perfectly fit in The Age of Adz and that is fucking amazing

Esmie Adele

I CAN’T HANDLE THIS BURST OF NEW SUFJAN SONGS n REMIXES😍

Tinkeroftime Little Seed

love it when the musician makes a remix on his own song. xDDD and this one really gives this heavenly sort of feel. seriously, sufjan stevens and his band are reaching the new cusp of amazing in these past few songs. so glorious!

Paul

It sounded like he said "the father of my last child" and I had a gay heart attack

Paul

Strawbry I've realized since I wrote that

More Comments

More Versions