The String Quartet Tribute is a series of string quartet covers released by… Read Full Bio ↴The String Quartet Tribute is a series of string quartet covers released by Vitamin Records by several different groups of musicians. They focus on one band per record, and perform classical versions of their songs, generally note for note. They use a wide array of instruments but focus mainly on violins, violas, and cellos. Over the years, they have put out a large number of albums (232), honoring mainstream and indie groups alike. They have put a classical spin on many genres of music, including rock, pop, punk, techno, hardcore, country, metal and rap.

Todd Mark Rubenstein has led one of several groups of players that have released albums in the series. This includes Exit... Stage Right: String Quartet Tribute to Rush which was nominated for a Grammy.

What Sarah Said
Vitamin String Quartet Lyrics

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And it came to me then that every plan is a tiny prayer to Father Time
As I stared at my shoes in the ICU that reeked of piss and 409
And I rationed my breaths as I said to myself that I'd already taken too much today
As each descending peak on the LCD took you a little farther away from me

Amongst the vending machines and year-old magazines in a place where we only say good-bye
It stung like a violent wind that our memories depend on a faulty camera in our minds
But I knew that you were a truth I would rather lose than to have never lain beside at all

And I looked around at all the eyes on the ground as the T.V. entertained itself

Cause there's no comfort in the waiting room
Just nervous pacers bracing for bad news
And then the nurse comes 'round and everyone will lift their heads
But I'm thinking of what Sarah said
That love is watching someone die

So who's gonna watch you die?

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Vitamin String Quartet’s song, “What Sarah Said” convey a sense of heartbreak and loss in the face of death. The song begins by expressing the realization that every plan we make is ultimately futile and that our time is limited. The singer finds themselves in an ICU, a place filled with the scent of urine and disinfectant, struggling to breathe and come to terms with the fact that their loved one is passing away. The singer feels as though they’re already taking up too much space in the world by breathing, and they know that with every beep on the heart monitor, their loved one is getting further away from them.

The song goes on to describe the feeling of being stuck in a waiting room, surrounded by vending machines and outdated magazines, and the discomfort of seeing others in the same situation. The chorus expresses the idea that love means being there to watch someone die, but it also poses the question of who will be there to watch the singer die. The final line of the song is a poignant reminder of the inevitability of death and the importance of living life to its fullest.

Overall, “What Sarah Said” is a deeply emotional song that captures the intense feelings that come with losing a loved one. The lyrics are beautifully written and convey a sense of profound sadness and grief.

Line by Line Meaning

And it came to me then that every plan is a tiny prayer to Father Time
I realized that every plan we make is just a small hope to defy the inevitable nature of time.

As I stared at my shoes in the ICU that reeked of piss and 409
I looked down at my feet while the smell of disinfectant mixed with urine filled the intensive care unit.

And I rationed my breaths as I said to myself that I'd already taken too much today
I carefully measured my every breath, convinced that I had already consumed more than I could handle on this day.

As each descending peak on the LCD took you a little farther away from me
As the numbers on the LCD monitor that displayed your vital signs continued to decrease, I felt like you were slipping further away from me.

Amongst the vending machines and year-old magazines in a place where we only say good-bye
In a sterile environment filled with vending machines and outdated reading material, we can only bid farewell to the ones we love.

It stung like a violent wind that our memories depend on a faulty camera in our minds
It was painful to realize that the quality of our memories is as unpredictable and unreliable as the weather, leaving us at the mercy of a faulty camera in our minds.

But I knew that you were a truth I would rather lose than to have never lain beside at all
Despite the pain of losing you, I know that having loved and been loved by you is a truth I cherish, even if it means enduring the pain of your departure.

And I looked around at all the eyes on the ground as the T.V. entertained itself
I observed the solemn faces of those around me, all staring at the ground while the T.V. droned on, providing a mindless distraction from the weight of reality.

Cause there's no comfort in the waiting room
The waiting room offers no solace or emotional refuge from the pain and uncertainty of loss.

Just nervous pacers bracing for bad news
Those present are restless, pacing back and forth, anticipating the worst possible outcome.

And then the nurse comes 'round and everyone will lift their heads
When the nurse finally appears, everyone’s heads will shoot up in anticipation, hoping for any news or perhaps just a brief moment of comfort.

But I'm thinking of what Sarah said
But even as the nurse arrives, my thoughts drift back to the words of Sarah.

That love is watching someone die
Was it Sarah who helped me understand that love is not just about living, but also about watching someone we love pass from this world?

So who's gonna watch you die?
And now, as I face the reality of your impending death, I can only wonder who will be there to witness and love you in your final moments.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BENJAMIN GIBBARD, NICHOLAS HARMER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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