White Sister
Toto Lyrics


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How can you say you love me
When you don't even love yourself
You live your life like a jagged knife
Just waiting on the shelf

How can you live for tomorrow
When you curse the night and day
The minutes pass through the hour glass
As you let them slip away

[Chorus]
Do you love me
White sister
Do you love me when I play your game
Do you love me
White sister
Do you love me
When I call your name

How can you touch the sorrow
With a leather gloved hand
When you summon the winds of anger
Just as fast as you can

You crucify an orphan
With the rainbow in your eyes
Then you send out invitations
And address them with his cries

I don't even know what's right
I can say
That you put up some kind of fight
I've been branded
I've been stranded
I'm so thankful for what I've been handed
I wish I could say that you're mine
Such a card game





[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Toto's song "White Sister" convey a sense of confusion and frustration when it comes to understanding a woman who is emotionally unavailable. The song begins with a question, "How can you say you love me when you don't even love yourself?" The singer is questioning the sincerity of the woman's love, pointing out that she has not yet come to terms with her own emotional state.


The lyrics go on to describe how the woman lives her life like a "jagged knife" that is just waiting on a shelving, implying there is a sense of danger and unreliability around her. The singer also ponders how can she "live for tomorrow when you curse the night and day." The lyrics suggest that she is not living in the present, but rather dwelling on things past or future.


The chorus then asks the question, "Do you love me, White sister?" The use of the term "white sister" could be interpreted in a few ways, perhaps as a term of endearment or possibly as a reference to a nun or a member of a religious order. The singer is asking if she loves him and if she still has the ability to love.


The verses continue to describe how despite the woman's leather glove that she uses to touch the sorrows of others, there is still a sense of anger within her. The lyrics continue, "You crucify an orphan with the rainbow in your eyes. Then you send out invitations and address them with his cries." This indicates that despite her feelings, she takes them out on others who may be helpless.


Overall, the lyrics of "White Sister" showcase the struggle of trying to understand and love someone who is emotionally unavailable.


Line by Line Meaning

How can you say you love me
Questioning the sincerity of the love professed towards the singer


When you don't even love yourself
Pointing out the lack of self-love in the person professing love


You live your life like a jagged knife
Describing the destructive behavior of the person


Just waiting on the shelf
Imagery portraying the person as idle and unproductive


How can you live for tomorrow
Questioning the person's motivation for the future


When you curse the night and day
Highlighting their negative attitude towards time


The minutes pass through the hour glass
Representation of the passing of time


As you let them slip away
Observation of the person's inaction


Do you love me
Reiteration of the initial question regarding love


White sister
Term of endearment or reference to the person


Do you love me when I play your game
Questioning if the love shown is conditional based on certain actions


Do you love me
Reiteration of the initial question regarding love


When I call your name
Asking if the person acknowledges and responds to the singer's calls


How can you touch the sorrow
Asking how the person can cause pain and suffering


With a leather gloved hand
Description of the physical action causing pain


When you summon the winds of anger
Highlighting the person's tendency to become angry quickly


Just as fast as you can
Observation of their speed in becoming angry


You crucify an orphan
Imagery of causing extreme pain to someone in a vulnerable position


With the rainbow in your eyes
Contrasting the kindness reflected in their eyes with their cruel actions


Then you send out invitations
Describing their tendency to invite others to join in on harmful behavior


And address them with his cries
Indicating the pain and suffering that has resulted from their actions


I don't even know what's right
A statement of uncertainty regarding the situation


I can say
Acknowledging the limitations of their understanding of the situation


That you put up some kind of fight
Observing the person's resistance and struggle in life


I've been branded
Acknowledging the singer's experience of being marked or scarred


I've been stranded
Description of the singer's feeling of being alone and helpless


I'm so thankful for what I've been handed
Gratitude for the positive aspects of the singer's life


I wish I could say that you're mine
Desire for a deeper connection with the person they are addressing


Such a card game
Comparison of the situation to a game of chance or strategy


Do you love me
Reiteration of the initial question regarding love


White sister
Term of endearment or reference to the person


Do you love me when I play your game
Reiteration of the question about conditional love


Do you love me
Reiteration of the initial question regarding love


When I call your name
Reiteration of the question about acknowledging and responding to the artist's calls.




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BOBBY KIMBALL, DAVID PAICH

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Denis S. Pratt


on Take My Hand

Beautiful rendition of a reconciling moment that my mother and I will lay to rest.

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