Lyrics:

Many men have loved the bells you fastened to the rail
And every one who wanted you
They found what they will always want again
Your beauty lost to you yourself
Just as it is lost to them
Oh, take this longing from my heart
All the useless things these hands have done
And let me see your beauty broken down
As you would do for one you loved
Your body like a searchlight
My own poverty reveals
How I would love to try your charity
Until you cry, "Now you must try my greed"
And everything depends
Upon how near you sleep to me
Oh, take this longing from my heart
All the useless things these hands have done
Let me see your beauty broken down
As you would do for one you loved

As hungry as an archway
Through which the troops have passed
I stand in ruins behind you
With your winter cloak
And your broken sandal strap
I love to see you naked over there
Especially from the back
Take this longing from my heart
All the lonely things these hands have done
Untie my blue silk gown
As you would do for one you loved

For your faithful to my better self
I'm afraid she left
Let me judge your love affair
In this very room where you have sentenced mine to death
Look, I'll even wear these old laurel leaves
That you've shaken from your hair
Or take this longing from my tongue
All the useless, lonely things these hands have done
Let me see your beauty broken down

As you would do for one you loved
As you would do for one you loved