The Dark I Know Well
The Spring Awakening Lyrics
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There is a part I can't tell
About the dark I know well
You say, "Time for bed now, child,"
Mom just smiles that smile—
Just like she never saw me.
Just like she never saw me...
So, I leave, wantin' just to hide.
Knowin' deep inside
You are comin' to me.
You are comin' to me...
You say all you want
Is just a kiss goodnight,
And then you hold me,
And you whisper,
"Child, the Lord won't mind.
It's just you and me.
Child, you're a beauty."
"God, it's good—the lovin'—
Ain't it good tonight?
You ain't seen nothin' yet—
Gonna treat you right.
It's just you and me.
Child, you're a beauty."
Ilse:
I don't scream,
Though I know it's wrong.
I just play along.
I lie there and breathe.
Lie there and breathe...
I wanna be strong—
I want the world to find out
That you're dreamin' on me,
Me and my "beauty."
Both:
Me and my "beauty"...
You say all you want
Is just a kiss goodnight,
And then you hold me
And you whisper,
"Child, the Lord won't mind.
It's just you and me.
Child, you're a beauty."
"God, it's good—the lovin'—
Ain't it good tonight?
You ain't seen nothin' yet—
Gonna teach you right.
It's just you and me.
Child you're a beauty."
There is a part I can't tell
About the dark I know well.
There is a part I can't tell
About the dark I know well.
There is a part I can't tell
About the dark I know well.
There is a part I can't tell
About the dark I know well...
"The Dark I Know Well" is a hauntingly beautiful song from the rock musical "Spring Awakening." The song is sung by Martha and Ilse, who both reveal their dark, abusive pasts. The lyrics are emotionally powerful, and they offer a glimpse into the traumatic experiences of many young women.
Martha is the first to sing, and she starts by saying that there is a part of her experience that she cannot bring herself to reveal. She then sings about how her mother does not see her, even when she is being abused. Martha knows that her abuser is coming to her, and she wants to hide. However, she finds herself unable to escape from the trauma that awaits her. The abuser tells her that all he wants is a kiss goodnight, but Martha knows that his intentions are far more sinister than that.
Ilse then takes over the song, and she sings about how she plays along with her abuser, even though she knows that it is wrong. She wants to be strong, but she feels powerless in the face of the abuse. Ilse also wants the world to know what is happening to her, but she fears that no one will believe her. She ends the song by repeating Martha's line, "There is a part I can't tell about the dark I know well."
"The Dark I Know Well" is a poignant and emotional song that sheds light on the issue of sexual abuse. It is a reminder that many young women suffer in silence and that their pain often goes unnoticed. The lyrics are powerful and offer a stark contrast to the upbeat music that accompanies the rest of the musical.
Line by Line Meaning
There is a part I can't tell
Martha is harboring a secret about a dark experience that is too painful to share.
About the dark I know well
The dark experience she's referring to is something she's very familiar with and has experienced before.
You say, "Time for bed now, child,"
Martha's abuser is someone she knows and trusts, who speaks to her like a caregiver when the abuse occurs.
Mom just smiles that smile—
Martha's mother is unaware of what's happening to her daughter and can't offer any help or support.
Just like she never saw me.
Martha feels invisible and ignored by her mother, who doesn't realize the extent of what's happening to her daughter.
So, I leave, wantin' just to hide.
Martha is ashamed and wants to escape the situation but feels powerless to do so.
Knowin' deep inside
Martha is acutely aware of what's going on and the consequences of the abuse.
You are comin' to me.
Martha knows her abuser will continue to seek her out and abuse her.
You say all you want
Is just a kiss goodnight,
The abuser tries to downplay what's happening and makes it sound like harmless affection.
And then you hold me,
And you whisper,
The abuser is manipulative and uses a gentle tone to create a sense of intimacy and closeness.
"Child, the Lord won't mind.
It's just you and me.
Child, you're a beauty."
The abuser tries to justify the abuse by invoking God, and makes Martha feel special and desirable.
"God, it's good—the lovin'—
Ain't it good tonight?
You ain't seen nothin' yet—
Gonna treat you right.
The abuser continues to make Martha feel like what's happening between them is a normal expression of love, and promises it will only get better.
"I don't scream,
Though I know it's wrong.
I just play along.
I lie there and breathe.
Lie there and breathe..."
Ilse (another victim of abuse) feels trapped and helpless but has learned to adapt and cope with the abuse by dissociating and numbing her emotions.
I wanna be strong—
I want the world to find out
That you're dreamin' on me,
Me and my "beauty."
Ilse yearns to break free from her abuser, to be brave enough to tell someone and seek help, and to reclaim her sense of identity and beauty.
There is a part I can't tell
About the dark I know well.
The repeated refrain reminds us that both Martha and Ilse are carrying their traumatic experiences in secret and struggling to cope with them.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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