The State I Am In - Belle & Sebastian

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

Now she’s in love

Oh, I was so touched, I was moved to kick the crutches from my crippled friend

She was not impressed 'cause I cured her on the Sabbath

I went to confess

When she saw the funny side, we introduced my child bride

To whisky and gin, to whisky and gin

The priest in the booth had a photographic memory

For all he had heard

He took all of my sins and he wrote a pocket novel called The State That I Am In

So I gave myself to God

There was a pregnant pause before he said ok

Now I spend my day turning tables round in Marks & Spencer

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 am stupid and blind

Oh, and desperation is the Devil’s work, it is the folly of a boy’s empty mind

Oh, and now I’m feeling dangerous, riding on city buses for a hobby is sad

Why don’t you lead me to a living

And I promise 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