The State I Am In
Belle & Sebastian
Push Barman to Open Old Wounds (2005)

I was surprised

I was happy for a day in 1975

I was puzzled by a dream

It stayed with me all day in 1995



My brother had confessed he was gay

It took the heat off me for a while

He stood up with a sailor friend

Made it known upon my sister's wedding day



I got married in a rush

To save a kid from being deported and now she's in love

I was so touched

I was moved to kick the crutches from my crippled friend



And she was not impressed

'Cause I cured her on the Sabbath, so I went to confess

When she saw the funny side

We introduced my child bride to whiskey and gin, to whiskey and
gin



The priest in the booth had a photographic memory

For all he had heard

And he took all of my sins and he wrote a pocket novel called

"The State I Am In"



And so I gave myself to God

There was a pregnant pause before he said okay

Now I spend my days turning tables 'round in Marks &
Spencer's

They don't seem to mind



I gave myself to sin

I gave myself to providence

And I've been there and back again

The state that I am in



I gave myself to sin

I gave myself to Providence

And I've been there and back again

The state that I am in



Oh love of mine, would you condescend to help me

'Cause I'm stupid and blind

And desperation is the devil's work

It is the folly of a boy's empty mind



And now I'm feeling dangerous

Riding on city buses for a hobby is sad

Lead me to a living end

I promised that I'd entertain my crippled friend, my crippled
friend



I gave myself to sin

I gave myself to Providence

And I've been there and back again

The state that I am in



I gave myself to sin

I gave myself to Providence

And I've been there and back again

The state that I am in



I gave myself to sin

I gave myself to Providence

And I've been there and back again

The state that I am in



I gave myself to sin

I gave myself to Providence

And I've been there and back again

The state that I am in



I gave myself to sin

And I've been there and back again, oh yeah