For the Widows in Paradise for the Fatherless in Ypsilanti
Sufjan Stevens Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I have called you, children
I have called you, son
What is there to answer
If I'm the only one
Morning comes in Paradise
Morning comes in light
Still I must obey
Still I must invite

If there's anything to say
If there's anything to do
I there's any other way
I'll do anything for you

I was dressed in embarrassment
I was dressed in white
If you had a part of me
Will you take your time
Even if I come back
Even if I die
Is there some idea
To replace my life

Like a father to impress
Like a mother's mourning dress
If we ever make a mess
I'll do anything for you

I have called you, preacher
I have called you, son
If you have a father
Or if you haven't one

I'll do anything for you
I'll do anything for you
I'll do anything for you
I'll do anything for you

I did everything for you
I did everything for you
I did everything for you
I did everything for you

I did everything for you
I did everything for you




I did everything for you
I did everything for you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Sufjan Stevens's song For the Widows in Paradise for the Fatherless in Ypsilanti appears to be a plea from a father figure. The father figure refers to the person he's addressing as a child and then as his son. He talks about obeying and inviting, perhaps inviting the child to come back into his life or into his presence. It seems like the father figure is trying to make amends for something that has gone wrong between them. The lines "If there's anything to say, If there's anything to do, If there's any other way, I'll do anything for you," capture the willingness of the father figure to make things right and do whatever it takes to mend their relationship.


The second verse appears to touch on a sensitive topic that was humiliating for the singer. This verse could allude to something he was ashamed of or something he regrets doing. The lines "Like a father to impress, Like a mother's mourning dress, If we ever make a mess, I'll do anything for you," suggest that he wants to make things up for any mistakes he has made. The repetition of "I'll do anything for you" at the end of the song reinforces this idea.


Overall, "For the Widows in Paradise for the Fatherless in Ypsilanti" seems to be a deeply personal song about a father figure trying to mend a broken relationship with his child-like figure. The lyrics are open to interpretation, and the meaning could vary based on the listener's personal experience.


Line by Line Meaning

I have called you, children
Sufjan Stevens addresses his listeners as children, showing his love and care for them.


I have called you, son
Sufjan Stevens addresses his listeners as sons, showing his closeness and familiarity with them.


What is there to answer, If I'm the only one
Sufjan Stevens acknowledges that he is the sole performer of the song and doesn't expect any response or answer from the listeners.


Morning comes in Paradise, Morning comes in light
Sufjan Stevens describes a peaceful and serene morning in paradise, symbolizing hope and new beginnings.


Still I must obey, Still I must invite
Despite being the only performer, Sufjan Stevens feels the need to obey and follow through with his desire to invite the listeners into his world and share his message with them.


If there's anything to say, If there's anything to do, If there's any other way, I'll do anything for you
Sufjan Stevens expresses his willingness to do anything for his listeners and to help them in any way he can.


I was dressed in embarrassment, I was dressed in white
Sufjan Stevens acknowledges his vulnerability and imperfection, dressed in the contrasting emotions of embarrassment and purity.


If you had a part of me, Will you take your time
Sufjan Stevens asks his listeners to take their time to understand him and to take a part of him in their hearts.


Even if I come back, Even if I die, Is there some idea, To replace my life
Sufjan Stevens questions the meaning and purpose of his life and whether his legacy will be remembered after he dies or leaves.


Like a father to impress, Like a mother's mourning dress, If we ever make a mess, I'll do anything for you
Sufjan Stevens compares the desire to impress with a father's love and the mourning and comfort brought by a mother's dress. He promises to help and to do anything for his listeners, even if they make mistakes.


I have called you, preacher, I have called you, son
Sufjan Stevens once again addresses his listeners as preachers and sons, showing the intimate relationship he has developed with them throughout the song.


If you have a father, Or if you haven't one
Sufjan Stevens acknowledges the different circumstances and experiences his listeners may have had with their fathers, and reassures them of his support and love for them.


I'll do anything for you, I'll do anything for you, I'll do anything for you, I'll do anything for you
Sufjan Stevens repeats his promise to do anything for his listeners and to support them in any way he can.


I did everything for you, I did everything for you, I did everything for you, I did everything for you
Sufjan Stevens emphasizes his dedication and devotion to his listeners, committing to doing everything he can to help and support them.




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

More Versions