descending

Earlier in the week, I said that I'd been listening to Amorica a lot lately and Descending is not a song that probably stood out to me before. Now, however, I can't get it out of my head. The piano intro is so gorgeous and Chris' voice . . . Descending is another one of those songs that sound like he speaking only to me. According to Crowesbase, "Th[e] earliest known version of the song features a "backwards" arrangement with both guitars playing the primary rythm part (as a riff and as a solo, respectively) and the paino playing the secondary rhythm part (played by the rythm guitaist on the Amorica version)." The piano intro and outro are the most memorable parts of this song but the whole thing is just so perfect sounding when Chris starts singing.

There are two primary versions of Descending-- the Lost Crowes or Tall version and the Amorica version-- they sound the same but have different lyrics. Plus, the Tall version has a different chorus/refrain. I prefer the Amorica version, in terms of listening. I'm going to include both sets of lyrics, however, for posterity and because I prefer the Tall version's lyrics.

Amorica album lyrics

Have mercy baby
I'm descending again
Open your eyes
This time it's sink or it's swim
No sermons on ascending
No verdict on deceit
No selfish memorandum
No confusion for me

Curses
Curses and clues
A feast for fools
Have mercy baby
And hand me downs
It was just a few years ago
You'd hand me ups and map
Right out of town
But I would let it slide
Like mercury
Silver and quick
Poisonous and deadly
So deadly


Tall album lyrics

Have mercy baby
I'm descending again
Open your eyes, baby
Cause, this time it's sink or it's swim
No sermons on ascending
No verdicts on deceit
No selfish memorandum
No confusion for me, not for me


A curse, a clue the same to me
regardless of your sympathy
reminded me to find beauty!


Have mercy baby
and hand me down
It was just a few years ago
you hand me up and a map right out of town
well I will let it slide
like mercury
so silver and quick
poisonous and deadly, so deadly


A curse, a clue the same to me
regardless of your sympathy
reminded me to find beauty!
A feast for fools!