Before The Poison
Marianne Faithfull · Before The Poison-Deluxe [2008]
I wasn't down,
If you'd been there
If you'd been around
I couldn't hear
Couldn't hear a sound
I was floating
Above the ground
Before the poison
I'd lost my fear
Maybe too happy,
To even care
Safe in my dreams
Couldn't see the fall
Coming on, coming from nowhere
My name to call
No more to say
Nothin's coming my way
No you, no me
No more, how can it be
Nowhere to run
Out of nowhere, poison
That is the end
What's left for you, my friend
Before the poison
I'd laugh out loud
I'd see your face
In any crowd
But speak softly
Without fear
Hold on to me
Hold me near
No more to say
Nothin's coming my way
No you, no me
No more, how can it be
Nowhere to run
Out of nowhere, poison
That is the end
What's left for you, my friend?
What's left for you, my friend?
What's left for you, my friend?
What's left for you...?
Before The Poison
Marianne Faithfull's "Before The Poison" stands as a haunting centerpiece on her 2008 deluxe reissue, capturing the raw vulnerability of her mid-career. Recorded in the classic folk-pop style that defined her post-1960s output, the track reflects her deep engagement with themes of emotional turbulence and personal struggle. Faithfull's distinctive voice delivers a narrative of impending heartbreak with a quiet intensity that has become a staple of her discography. The recording exemplifies her ability to blend intimate storytelling with atmospheric production, cementing its place alongside other iconic works like "Tenderness" and "Ruby Tuesday". As a key track on this compilation, it serves as a poignant reminder of her enduring influence on the genre, offering listeners a glimpse into the complex emotional landscape she explored during this era.