Superb lyricist. Finally got to see Swans in S.F. Sept 13, 2023. Mr. Gira was gonna sign "The Knot" for me post-show, but I take public transit & couldn't wait around or I'd get stuck in the City w/no way back to the East Bay. Perfect way to end a Swans experience: elated, half deaf & profoundly bummed.
People always describe Michael as if he is some menacing/intimidating individual; which he certainly is on stage. But he seems like an exceptionally kind and caring human being in most clips i’ve seen of him off stage
Best version by far..wish a studio version of this soulful masterpiece. Now some of us are weak and some endure Some people live their life, with a violence that's pure and clean But I saw a man cry once, down on his knees In the corner of a darkened cell, and his pain meant nothing to me But I was younger then young men never die When I walked out in the sun, I was strong, clear-minded and blind Now don't say a prayer for anyone, it doesn't do any good Please don't ask me questions, it'd just be misunderstood And if you could step inside me you'd feel what hatred brings And if you saw with my eyes, you'd see what self-deception means I was younger once, and I created a lie And though my body was strong, I was self-diluted, confident, and blind Now show some pity, for the weak of will Because when we're drinking, we can never be filled Show some understanding for a lonely fool Because when I'm drinking, I am out of control Well I was never young, nothing has transpired And when I look in the mirror, I feel dead, I feel cold, I am blind I am blind I am blind I am blind
i disagree, i think this version is much better than the original. that's not to say the original isn't good, but i think the lyrics of this song work so much better sung is this drawn out and sorrowful way. the original is too "upbeat" for the message the words are putting forward, if you get me?
@@Fireguy65 Jk , of course ... I just happen to disagree with you but it´s all good since it would be very boring if we would all perceived things the same way :-)
The studio version of this song is wonderful. But it feels almost as though Mr. Gira is intentionally shitting on his older material with performances like this. And I know he's a good performer (I've seen him solo, and with Swans, since they released "My Father...") but the it seems to me that the only people who could take this and performances like it seriously are people who are already Swans fans...
@@ColombianThunder "There were several releases in this vein, and I took the songs I thought best and compiled them into this double album collection." G. Michael
