Enchanting Ghost
Sufjan Stevens Lyrics


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Tell me what you saw in me
And I'll try to replicate it with a scene
Mm-mmm
If it troubles you to breathe
Wait a moment; I could change the scenery

Don't carry on carrying efforts, oh no, oh oh oh oh
Somewhere there's a room for each of us to grow
And if it pleases you to leave me, just go, oh oh oh oh
Stopping you would stifle your enchanting ghost
Mm-mmm

It's only that I meant to bring
Love and liveliness to your breast on the scene
Mm-mmm
Did you cut your hands on me?
Are my edges sharp? Am I a pest to feed?

Don't carry on carrying regrets, oh no, oh oh oh
Somewhere there's a room for us to speak alone
And if it grieves you to stay here, just go, oh oh oh oh
For I have no spell on you, it's all a ghost
Mm-mmm

I still have the things you gave me
Four anointing oils, the paper weight you made
Mm-mmm
For sure I haven't carried them
Or buried them in the name of your ghost, my friend

Don't carry on carrying efforts
Don't go! No oh oh oh
Stay with me until I sleep within your host
Or if it pleases you to leave me, just go, oh oh oh oh




Stopping you would stifle your enchanting ghost
Mm-mmm

Overall Meaning

In Enchanting Ghost, Sufjan Stevens seems to be addressing an individual with whom he had an intimate relationship, but that relationship has ended, and he attempts to make sense of their love and loss. He asks the person to tell him what they saw in him so that he can attempt to replicate it as a scene. Sufjan often uses visuals and symbols in his songwriting and performances, and in this instance, the scene created by the person he is addressing signifies their love story. The phrase "if it troubles you to breathe, wait a moment; I could change the scenery" connotes the metaphorical smothering that might have occurred during their relationship, and the need for space felt by both parties.


Sufjan recognizes and admits that he might have hurt the person who he addresses in the song, and wonders if his sharp edges and pestering tendencies lead to the person getting hurt while loving him. He tells the person that he has no spell on them, and that they are free to leave if it pleases them and that stopping them from leaving could stifle their enchanting ghost. The phrase "enchanting ghost" used throughout the song is particularly interesting as it signifies the passing of love while retaining a perfect otherworldly quality, attractive and unblemished. The song's title Enchanting Ghost suggests the beauty in the lingering memories of love as well.


Ultimately, Enchanting Ghost seems to be a reflection on the complexities of relationships and their endings, and how the magic of loving and being loved can endure even after those relationships end.


Line by Line Meaning

Tell me what you saw in me
Please tell me what you like about me.


And I'll try to replicate it with a scene
I will do my best to recreate it with my actions.


Mm-mmm
This line is just a vocalization with no specific meaning.


If it troubles you to breathe
If you are feeling uncomfortable or upset,


Wait a moment; I could change the scenery
Just give me a moment and I can change the environment to make you feel better.


Don't carry on carrying efforts, oh no, oh oh oh oh
Don't keep trying so hard if it's not working.


Somewhere there's a room for each of us to grow
We each need space to develop and improve ourselves.


And if it pleases you to leave me, just go, oh oh oh oh
If you want to go and it makes you happy, I won't stop you.


Stopping you would stifle your enchanting ghost
Holding you here against your will would prevent you from being your true, magical self.


Mm-mmm
This line is just a vocalization with no specific meaning.


It's only that I meant to bring
All I wanted to do was to make you feel loved and alive.


Love and liveliness to your breast on the scene
To make you feel happy and excited in the moment.


Did you cut your hands on me?
Did I hurt you in some way?


Are my edges sharp? Am I a pest to feed?
Is there something about me that is rough or irritating?


Don't carry on carrying regrets, oh no, oh oh oh
Don't keep feeling guilty or bad about what happened.


Somewhere there's a room for us to speak alone
We need to find a private space to talk and work things out.


And if it grieves you to stay here, just go, oh oh oh oh
If you don't want to be here with me and it makes you sad, you can leave.


For I have no spell on you, it's all a ghost
I'm not controlling you or anyone else; you are free to do what makes you happy.


Mm-mmm
This line is just a vocalization with no specific meaning.


I still have the things you gave me
I still have the gifts you gave me.


Four anointing oils, the paper weight you made
Four different oils that can be rubbed on the skin, and a decorative object for holding down papers.


Mm-mmm
This line is just a vocalization with no specific meaning.


For sure I haven't carried them
I haven't forgotten or lost the gifts you gave me.


Or buried them in the name of your ghost, my friend
I haven't tried to hide or get rid of them because of your memory.


Don't carry on carrying efforts
Don't keep trying so hard if it's not working.


Don't go! No oh oh oh
Please don't leave me.


Stay with me until I sleep within your host
Stay with me until I am close to you, and a part of you.


Or if it pleases you to leave me, just go, oh oh oh oh
But again, if you want to leave, I won't stop you.


Stopping you would stifle your enchanting ghost
It's more important that you are true to your unique, mystical self.


Mm-mmm
This line is just a vocalization with no specific meaning.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Sufjan Stevens

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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