Sufjan Stevens – Drawn to the Blood Lyrics

Sufjan Stevens – Drawn to the Blood Lyrics

Drawn to the Blood Lyrics by Sufjan Stevens

Similar to his work in Seven Swans, Sufjan is matching a personal narrative with biblical allusion.

The final question reveals the narrator’s attitude:

“For my prayer has always been love
What did I do to deserve this now?”

Like so many believers, Sufjan is questioning faith in light of personal tragedy.

Delilah is a cunning heroine in The Bible who disarms Samson by cutting off his hair. Despite his love for her, she betrayed him. It’s likely that Sufjan is using Delilah’s strength, betrayal, and power over Samson to that of his mother over him. From Judges 14-16, we see Samson twice realize that his “Lover caught [him] off guard,” which strengthens the metaphor of Samson and Delilah for Sufjan and his mother. The title “Drawn to the Blood” might further the comparison of Sufjan to Samson, who is incredibly violent, but constantly seeks affection from women who ultimately betray him. Samson seeks love from women, but is constantly surrounded by destruction and betrayal; it’s fair to say this describes Sufjan’s own emotions in this song.

[Verse 1]
I’m drawn to the blood
The flight of a one-winged dove
How? How did this happen?
How? How did this happen?

The strength of his arm
My lover caught me off guard
How? Head of a rabbit
How? Head of a rabbit

[Chorus]
For my prayer has always been love
What did I do to deserve this?

[Verse 2]
With blood on my sleeve
Delilah, avenge my grief
How? God of Elijah
How? God of Elijah

As fire to the sun
Tell me what I have done
How? Heart of a dragon?
How? Heart of a dragon?

[Chorus]
For my prayer has always been love
What did I do to deserve this now?
How did this happen?