Lyrics Stranger Lay Beside Me - Iron & Wine

Stranger Lay Beside Me

I was bad, I was good
Running wild through the woods
While the branches above me were burnin'
I was breathing the smoke
I was startin' to choke
When a stranger lay beside me
I was lost, I was found
You were hangin' around
Moving slowly but headed for glory
I was healed, I was hurt
I was sinnin' in church
When a stranger lay beside me
I was snuffed, I was stoked
There was love in us both
And a buzzard was circlin' the valley
I was chaff, I was wheat
I was bone, I was meat
When a stranger lay beside me
I was close, I was far
Feral cats in the car
And a crack in the roof that kept drippin'
I was numb when I smiled
I was built and defiled
When a stranger lay beside me
And the moon rose again
And the snake shed its skin
Every hand in the city was shakin'
We were kissed, we were clawed
Given just to be robbed
'Cause we needed the love we were makin'
I was present and gone
Said farewell and so long
Then came back 'cause the street was too empty
I was nursin' a bruise
I thought for sure it was you
When a stranger lay beside me
I was strong, I was weak
All the hens were asleep
And the hawk’s only kind cause he’s hungry
I was sold, I was bought
I was promised a lot
When a stranger lay beside me
I was wrong, I was right
You were poised in the light
Both as evil as ever, and holy
I was bitten and chewed
Bound and gagged on the truth
When that stranger lay beside me
I was soft, I was hard
The sky heavy with stars
Never meant to surrender their meaning
I was love, I was hate
Stuffed and licking my plate
When a stranger lay beside me
I was chided and cheered
We were reeking with fear
That the world might return for it’s mercy
I was mended and torn
I was killed and reborn
When a stranger lay beside me
And the moon rose again
And the snake shed it’s skin
And the back of the city was breaking
We both took to it well
Blind and feeling ourselves
But we needed the love we were making
I was captured and free
The sun set through the trees
And time beat on the length of my body
I was taught, I was teased
In the nature of things
When a stranger lay beside me