A Case of You
k.d. lang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"I am as constant as a northern star"
And I said, "Constantly in the darkness
Where's that at?
If you want me I'll be in the bar"
On the back of a cartoon coaster
In the blue of a TV screen light
Oh Canada
With your face sketched on it twice
You are in my blood like holy wine
You're so bitter and so sweet
I could drink a case of you
I would still be on my feet
I would still be on my feet
I am a lonely painter
I live in a box of paints
I'm frightened by the devil
But I'm drawn to those ones that ain't
I remember the time you told me, you said,
"Love is touching souls"
Well surely you touched mine
Part of you pours out of me
In these lines from time to time
You're in my blood like holy wine
You're so bitter baby and so sweet
I could drink a case of you
And still I'd be on my feet
I'd still be on my feet
I met a woman
She had a mouth like yours
She knew your devils, she knew your deeds
And she said,
"Go with it, and stay with it,
But be prepared to bleed"
You're in my blood like holy wine
You're so bitter baby and so sweet
I could drink a case of you, of you, darling
Still I'd be on my feet
I would still be on my feet
"A Case of You" is a poignant ballad that tells the story of a love that is both bitter and sweet. The song begins with the memory of a conversation between the singer and the object of her affection, in which he claimed to be as constant as a northern star. The singer then ponders the meaning of this statement, asking where he is when she is engulfed in darkness. She finds solace in the bottom of a glass at a bar, suggesting that her love is not as constant as he believes.
The middle verse introduces the theme of art and creativity, and the singer's own lonely existence. She recalls the words of her former lover about how love is touching souls, and how he has touched hers. She confesses that he is in her blood like holy wine, a phrase that recurs throughout the song. The final verse describes an encounter with another woman who knew the singer's lover and urges the singer to stay with him but be prepared to suffer for him. Ultimately, the singer concludes that no matter how much she drinks of her lover's bitter-sweet nature, she will still be on her feet, determined to keep going despite the pain of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Just before our love got lost you said,"I am as constant as a northern star"And I said, "Constantly in the darknessWhere's that at?If you want me I'll be in the bar"
You said you'd never leave but our love still ended. You said you were constantly reliable, but I don't know where that reliability is now. If you need me, I'll be in the bar.
On the back of a cartoon coasterIn the blue of a TV screen lightI drew a map of CanadaOh CanadaWith your face sketched on it twice
I drew a picture of Canada with your face on it. I see you everywhere I go, even on a cartoon coaster or on a TV screen.
You are in my blood like holy wineYou're so bitter and so sweetI could drink a case of youI would still be on my feetI would still be on my feet
You are a part of me like holy wine, bittersweet but essential. I could consume so much of you and still be standing, still able to endure.
I am a lonely painterI live in a box of paintsI'm frightened by the devilBut I'm drawn to those ones that ain'tI remember the time you told me, you said,"Love is touching souls"Well surely you touched minePart of you pours out of meIn these lines from time to time
I am a solitary artist living in a world of color. I'm scared of evil, but I'm attracted to those who aren't. You told me once that love touches the soul and you must have touched mine. You live through me and inspire my art from time to time.
You're in my blood like holy wineYou're so bitter baby and so sweetI could drink a case of youAnd still I'd be on my feetI'd still be on my feet
You are a part of me like holy wine, bittersweet but essential. I could consume so much of you and still be standing, still able to endure.
I met a womanShe had a mouth like yoursShe knew your devils, she knew your deedsAnd she said,"Go with it, and stay with it,But be prepared to bleed"
I met a woman who reminded me of you. She understood your flaws, your actions, and warned me about what was coming. She said to accept it, stay with it, but be prepared for the pain.
You're in my blood like holy wineYou're so bitter baby and so sweetI could drink a case of you, of you, darlingStill I'd be on my feetI would still be on my feet
You are a part of me like holy wine, bittersweet but essential. I could consume so much of you, my dear, and still be standing, still able to endure.
Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Joni Mitchell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind