“This album is dedicated to the light of my life, my beloved partner and best friend Evans Richardson, who passed away in April. He was an absolute gem of a person, full of life, love, laughter, curiosity, integrity, and joy. He was one of those rare and beautiful ones you find only once in a lifetime—precious, impeccable, and absolutely exceptional in every way.
I know relationships can be very difficult sometimes, but it’s always worth it to put in the hard work and care for the ones you love, especially the beautiful ones, who are few and far between. If you happen to find that kind of love, hold it close, hold it tight, savor it, tend to it, and give it everything you’ve got, especially in times of trouble. Be kind, be strong, be patient, be forgiving, be vigorous, be wise, and be yourself. Live every day as if it is your last, with fullness and grace, with reverence and love, with gratitude and joy. This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Thank you. I love you. XOS“
Goodbye Evergreen
Sufjan Stevens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know I love you
But everything heaven sent
Must burn out in the end
I promised you
Just as you were in my dream
Now let me off easy
To release my scattered brain, my enemy
Something just isn't right
I cut from the inside
I'm frightened of the end
I'm drowning in my self-defense
Now punish me
Think of me as what you will
I grow like a cancer
I'm pressed out in the rain
Deliver me from the poison pain
Goodbye, evergreen, goodbye, evergreen
Goodbye, evergreen, goodbye, evergreen
You know I love you, you know I love you (you know I love)
Goodbye, evergreen, goodbye, evergreen
Goodbye, evergreen
You know I love you, you know I love you (you know I love)
Goodbye, evergreen, goodbye, evergreen
You know I love you, you know I love you (you know I love)
Goodbye, evergreen, goodbye, evergreen
You know I love you, you know I love you (you know I love)
Goodbye, evergreen, goodbye, evergreen
Goodbye, evergreen
You know I love you, you know I love you (you know I love)
You know I love you
You know I love you
You know I love
"Goodbye Evergreen" by Sufjan Stevens is a song that explores themes of love, endings, and self-destruction. The lyrics depict a bittersweet farewell to something cherished, symbolized by the metaphor of an evergreen tree. The singer expresses their love for this entity but acknowledges that everything beautiful and heavenly eventually fades away. They make a promise to let go, to be released from the burden of their scattered thoughts and inner turmoil. The line "Something just isn't right, I cut from the inside" suggests an internal struggle and self-inflicted pain. The singer is haunted by fear, their own defenses causing them to drown in their emotions.
The song presents a complex mix of emotions, portraying the singer as both a victim and an antagonist to themselves. They compare their growth to that of a cancer, highlighting a sense of self-deprecation. The rain becomes a symbol of purification and deliverance from the poison pain, indicating a desire for healing or escape. In the end, the repeated chorus of "Goodbye, evergreen" expresses a final farewell and an acceptance of the inevitable ending.
Overall, "Goodbye Evergreen" delves into the contradictions of love and the destructive tendencies that can arise within oneself. It explores the pain of letting go, the fear of endings, and the longing for release from internal struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
Goodbye, evergreen
Farewell, symbol of everlasting life and vitality
You know I love you
I have deep affection for you
But everything heaven sent
Yet, all that is meant to be divine
Must burn out in the end
Ultimately fades away
I promised you
I made a commitment to you
Just as you were in my dream
Similar to how you appeared in my fantasy
Now let me off easy
Grant me a painless departure
And I'll slip down through the drain
So I can escape unnoticed
To release my scattered brain, my enemy
To free myself from my chaotic thoughts, my adversary
Something just isn't right
There is a sense of unease
I cut from the inside
I harm myself internally
I'm frightened of the end
I am scared of the inevitable conclusion
I'm drowning in my self-defense
I am overwhelmed by my own attempts to protect myself
Now punish me
Now inflict punishment upon me
Think of me as what you will
Perceive me however you wish
I grow like a cancer
I expand uncontrollably like a malignant disease
I'm pressed out in the rain
I am squeezed under the downpour
Deliver me from the poison pain
Rescue me from the toxic anguish
Goodbye, evergreen, goodbye, evergreen
Farewell, symbol of everlasting life and vitality, farewell
You know I love you, you know I love you (you know I love)
You are aware of my deep affection for you
Goodbye, evergreen
Farewell, symbol of everlasting life and vitality
You know I love you, you know I love you (you know I love)
You are aware of my deep affection for you
Goodbye, evergreen, goodbye, evergreen
Farewell, symbol of everlasting life and vitality, farewell
Goodbye, evergreen
Farewell, symbol of everlasting life and vitality
You know I love you, you know I love you (you know I love)
You are aware of my deep affection for you
Goodbye, evergreen, goodbye, evergreen
Farewell, symbol of everlasting life and vitality, farewell
You know I love you, you know I love you (you know I love)
You are aware of my deep affection for you
You know I love you
You are aware of my deep affection for you
You know I love you
You are aware of my deep affection for you
You know I love you
You are aware of my deep affection for you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Sufjan Stevens
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@fahadhashmi1612
"This album is dedicated to the light of my life, my beloved partner and best friend Evans Richardson, who passed away in April. He was an absolute gem of a person, full of life, love, laughter, curiosity, integrity, and joy. He was one of those rare and beautiful ones you find only once in a lifetime—precious, impeccable, and absolutely exceptional in every way."
This song takes on a whole another meaning now. I'm crying in the corner.
@mindfulmaximalism
Poisoned pain? 💉
deets pls
@harigovindk1234
Sending you love❤
@ayleidcaligo2227
He made the perfect representation of how grief feels, it's confusing and quiet but also loud as hell and you cannot do anything to stop it from hitting you, people like simple things, but sometimes things arent like that, just like this song
@greenteatillermann
His voice sounds like he was crying, its so heartbreaking. I can't stop listening. A total genius, angel, gem of a human. I wish him peace.
@mammamonssterr
Life should've been kinder to Sufjan. A sweet soul like his doesn't deserve less. It feels so unfair. I feel for him.
@conorbaker7684
A masterpiece among a gallery of masterpieces. I applaud Sufjan coming out publically on his own terms (although we fans already knew even if unofficially). But for someone as private as Sufjan, we’ve enjoyed an incredibly intimate insight into his heart and soul over the past decade and a half or so and we’ve been invited into such intimate nooks and crannies of his psyche. There’s really not an artist with that level of depth. I’m not saying he’s the most artistic or most talented, but he’s by far the most intimate of any artist I’ve ever listened to. It’s a real blessing to be invited into his grief, sorrow, bargaining, and coming to terms that he’s experienced. Now more than ever. I love Sufjan and I hope that he knows how much we all appreciate him, his love, his wisdom, and his vulnerability. Sufjan is a living mystic and I’m so thankful to be blessed to have stumbled upon him.
@louishayes2885
My mom just died and I’ve been listening to the beginning of this song for weeks. Just kinda hits it on the head.
@oliverram3243
Sorry for your loss
@jin6000
This song is incredible. The first minute just grips me with an incredible weight and power that I haven't felt for a long time. I feel every drop of emotion that was poured into this, and it makes me feel such enormous sympathy and empathy with Sufjan, having lost someone I love also.
So grateful for this album.