Forgive me, Hera, I cannot stay
Laura Marling sings What He Wrote, a hauntingly beautiful ballad about a man who has fallen from grace. The song is written and performed by Laura Marling, who also penned the lyrics for the song. In this version, Laura sings in her signature style, which blends folk, rock, and blues.
Love me, oh Lord, he threw me away
In the opening lines of the song, we learn that the narrator has experienced great pain and heartache. She describes being left behind by the man she loved, who laughed at her sins and cut out her tongue when they had a falling out. Despite her suffering, the narrator remains devoted to the man who has caused her so much pain.
He wrote: 'I'm broke please send for me'
As the story unfolds, we learn more about the man's past and present circumstances. The narrator asks him how he became so broken and how he learned to hold fruit in his hands. She also wonders where the lamb gave him his name and why he had to leave despite her pleas for him to stay. Throughout the song, the narrator expresses her sorrow and longing for the man's return.
Do not tempt me
Despite her pain and suffering, the narrator refuses to give up on love. She reminds the man that she is light as the sun and that his holy light shines on the things he has done. However, she also warns him not to tempt her with his promises of redemption.
If he had of stayed you might understand
In one of the most powerful lines of the song, the narrator reflects on what could have been if the man had never left her side. She imagines a world where they are still together and where she can understand his actions. However, she knows that this is only a fantasy, as he is now spoken for and unable to return.
He wrote: 'I'm low please send for me'
As the final verse of the song begins, we see that the man's situation has only gotten worse. He is now "broke in two" and spoken for, leaving him no choice but to beg for forgiveness from those who have wronged him. Despite his pleas for mercy, he knows that his fate is sealed and that he must leave once again.
He begged me to stay by the light of this ship.
Me fighting him, fighting life, fighting dawn,
And the waves came and stole him
and took him to war.
He wrote: "I'm broke, please send for me"
But I'm broke in two and spoken for
"Do not tempt me."
Forgive me Hera, I cannot stay
He cut out my tongue, there is nothing to say
"Love me, oh Lord, he threw me away"
He laughed at my sins in his arms, "I must stay"
We write that's alright, I miss his smell
We speak when spoken to, that suits us well
That suits us well
That suits me well.
