Blues From Down Here
TV on the Radio Lyrics

From the depths I called you, ma
I reached out to you from the bottomless pit that I'd stumbled into.

For your breath and breast so warm and fabled
I sought comfort in your nurturing presence and affectionate care.

Your hands reached inside
You intervened when I needed someone to pull me out of my despair.

Grabbed my heart, enlarged, disabled
You had a profound impact on me: you touched my soul, and made me feel both full and broken at the same time.

Hailed for your mercy
I acknowledged and appreciated the kindness and compassion you showed me.

An ear that cares
You listened patiently and empathetically to my plight, without judgment or interruption.

How the blues sound from up there?
Do you understand how much I'm suffering here down below?

With my wet hair, I wipe the blood off of your feet
I recognize and honor the sacrifices you've made for me, and dedicate myself to serve you in whatever way I can.

Carry me through these shark infested waters
I need your protection and encouragement to navigate the dangerous and treacherous terrain ahead of me.

Well you spared me from slaughter for sure,
I owe you my life, since you've saved me from a dire fate that I surely would not have survived.

But these sharks are equally in need of a martyr
Despite my gratitude and loyalty to you, I'm aware that I'm not the only one who's suffering, and that sometimes there are no 'right' or 'wrong' choices when it comes to survival.

Oh kindness shared
The compassion and benevolence you've shown me are a rare and precious gift that I'll always treasure.

Undeserved purest gift, this life you spared
I realize that I don't have any control over my fate, and that I've been blessed with another day to live, breathe and create.

Teeth gnashing, masticating this dumb tongue
I'm struggling to express my thoughts and feelings, and to communicate my deepest fears and desires to you.

Quiet now, quiet now, hear that supplication
I'm begging you to listen to me, and to hear me out without interrupting or judging me.

Echo into the void
My words and my voice seem to be swallowed by the darkness and the silence of the abyss.

Been received by no one
No one seems to be there to answer my calls or to respond to my pleas for help or salvation.

Oh my sweet dear
You're the only one who's ever shown me such tenderness, patience and understanding.

Cold alone poisoning ourselves
We're all suffering from the same condition: loneliness, isolation and self-doubt.

Engulfed in our own tears
We're drowning in our own sorrows and regrets, and can't see a way out of our misery.

Signed, blues from down here.
This is my signature, my identity, my story: the story of the blues from the bottomless pit of my soul.

Pull the pin, drop it in, let it wash away your
Let go of your worries, your attachments, your fears, your expectations.

Time for your favorite story
Tell me a tale of hope, of perseverance, of redemption.

Of how to achieve golden glory
Teach me the secrets of success, of happiness, of fulfillment.

Wash yourself all squeaky clean
Purify yourself, cleanse yourself, eliminate all the impurities that corrupt your spirit.

All in white all Hallow's Eve
Celebrate the season of rebirth, of renewal, of transformation, by donning the holy raiment of sainthood.

Lessen your desire
Detach yourself from the things you crave, the people you love, the dreams you pursue, in order to attain inner peace.

Hold your breath so patiently
Be calm, be patient, be still, even in the face of chaos, uncertainty and adversity.

Never inquire how to be free
Don't question your destiny, your purpose, your identity, but accept them as they are, without judgment or doubt.

Just stay on your knees
Humble yourself, submit to a higher power, and seek salvation through faith and devotion.

You might doubt it
You might be skeptical, pessimistic or apathetic about the message or the messenger.

Think there's nothing left for me
You might believe that there's no hope, no purpose, no joy left in your life.

To do but stomp my feet
You might feel powerless, frustrated or angry, and express your emotions through physical or verbal outbursts.

And shout about it
You might want to raise your voice, to express your opinions, to challenge the status quo, and to demand justice or equality.

Now I'm waiting for an answer patiently
I'm still seeking a sign, a response, a direction, from someone or something beyond myself, but I'm willing to wait and listen.

Stuck here at the bottom of this well
I feel trapped, confined, restricted, and unable to climb out of the pit I've found myself in.

It's not the last you've heard from me
I promise you that I'll keep writing, singing, shouting, and reaching out to the world, as long as I have breath in my lungs and fire in my heart.