Meaning of "Dying Is Strange And Hard" by MewithoutYou

The lyrics of "Dying Is Strange And Hard" by MewithoutYou delve deep into themes of loss, pain, and mortality. The speaker's reminiscences about a past lover highlight the lingering feelings of longing and regret that accompany lost love. The imagery of bruises and sickness serves as a metaphor for the emotional and physical wounds that the speaker carries. The mention of a "needle in my ear" and the idea of every kind word bringing new pain suggest a sense of overwhelming suffering and the inability to escape from it. The reference to sparrows building a nest while the speaker and others waste away symbolizes the stark contrast between the natural world's continuity and the human experience of impermanence and decay. The repeated plea to be told that they are dying reflects a desire for acknowledgment of the harsh reality of mortality, with the final lines evoking a sense of finality and acceptance as the speaker's "crippled, twisted body is swallowed by the earth."