What He Wrote
Laura Marling · I Speak Because I Can [2010]
He cut out my tongue, there is nothing to save
Love me oh Lord, he threw me away
He laughed at my sins, in his arms I must stay
He wrote, I'm broke, please send for me
But I'm broken too and spoken for, do not tempt me
Her skin is white and I'm light as the sun
So holy light shines on the things you have done
So I asked him how he became this man
How did he learn to hold fruit in his hands
And where is the lamb that gave you your name
He had to leave though I begged him to stay
Left me alone when I needed the light
Fell to my knees I wept for my life
If he had of stayed you might understand
If he had of stayed you never would have taken my hand
He wrote I am low please send for me
But I'm broken too and spoken for, do not tempt me
And where is the lamb that gave you your name
He had to leave though I begged him to stay
Begged him to stay in my cold wooden grip
Begged him to stay by the light of this ship
Me fighting him fighting light fighting dawn
The waves came and stole him and took him to war
He wrote I'm broke, please send for me
But I'm broken too and spoken for, do not tempt me
Forgive me Hera I cannot stay
He cut out my tongue, there is nothing to save
Love me oh Lord, he threw me away
He laughed at my sins, in his arms I must stay
He wrote I'm broke, please send for me
But I'm broken too and spoken for, do not tempt me
We write, that's alright, I miss his smell
We speak when spoken to, that suits us well
That suits us well, that suits me well
About What He Wrote
Laura Marling's "What He Wrote" stands as a poignant centerpiece on her 2010 album *I Speak Because I Can*, embodying the delicate folk-pop aesthetic that defines her early career. Recorded with a raw intimacy, the track features Marling's distinctive vocal delivery and acoustic instrumentation, characteristic of the indie folk movement of the late 2000s. The song explores themes of unrequited love and the weight of a partner's words, delivered with a quiet vulnerability that resonates deeply within her discography. Released alongside tracks like "Sophia" and "Made By Maid," the recording captures a specific moment in Marling's artistic evolution, blending traditional songwriting structures with atmospheric production. It reflects her ability to craft emotionally resonant narratives without relying on overt drama, instead finding power in restraint and lyrical subtlety. The piece remains a defining example of her early work, showcasing the atmospheric depth and lyrical clarity that would become hallmarks of her broader body of work.