Love Henry
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds · Other Songs - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Words and Music by Bob Dylan (1993 Special Rider Music)
Original version of Henry Lee. Nick's version is also available.
"Get down, get down, Love Henry," she cried,
"And stay all night with me.
I have gold chains, and the finest I have
I'll apply them all to thee."
"I can't get down and I shan't get down,
Or stay all night with thee.
Some pretty little girl in Cornersville
I love far better than thee."
He laid his head on a pillow of down.
Kisses she gave him three.
With a penny knife that she held in her hand
She murdered mortal he.
"Get well, get well, Love Henry, " she cried,
"Get well, get well," said she.
"Oh don't you see my own heart's blood
Come flowin' down so free?"
She took him by his long yellow hair,
And also by his feet.
She plunged him into well water, where
It runs both cold and deep.
"Lie there, lie there, Love Henry," she cried,
"Til the flesh rots off your bones.
Some pretty little girl in Cornersville
Will mourn for your return."
"Hush up, hush up, my parrot," she cried,
"Don't tell no news on me,
Or these costly beads around my neck,
I'll apply them all to thee.
"Fly down, fly down, pretty parrot," she cried,
"And light on my right knee.
The doors to your cage shall be decked with gold
And hung on a willow tree."
"I won't fly down, I can't fly down
And light on your right knee.
A girl who would murder her own true love
Would kill a little bird like me."
Original version of Henry Lee. Nick's version is also available.
"Get down, get down, Love Henry," she cried,
"And stay all night with me.
I have gold chains, and the finest I have
I'll apply them all to thee."
"I can't get down and I shan't get down,
Or stay all night with thee.
Some pretty little girl in Cornersville
I love far better than thee."
He laid his head on a pillow of down.
Kisses she gave him three.
With a penny knife that she held in her hand
She murdered mortal he.
"Get well, get well, Love Henry, " she cried,
"Get well, get well," said she.
"Oh don't you see my own heart's blood
Come flowin' down so free?"
She took him by his long yellow hair,
And also by his feet.
She plunged him into well water, where
It runs both cold and deep.
"Lie there, lie there, Love Henry," she cried,
"Til the flesh rots off your bones.
Some pretty little girl in Cornersville
Will mourn for your return."
"Hush up, hush up, my parrot," she cried,
"Don't tell no news on me,
Or these costly beads around my neck,
I'll apply them all to thee.
"Fly down, fly down, pretty parrot," she cried,
"And light on my right knee.
The doors to your cage shall be decked with gold
And hung on a willow tree."
"I won't fly down, I can't fly down
And light on your right knee.
A girl who would murder her own true love
Would kill a little bird like me."
Love Henry
Love Henry stands as a defining track from Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, capturing the band's signature blend of gothic rock and dark storytelling. The song showcases Cave's distinctive baritone and the group's ability to weave intricate narratives within a driving musical framework. As part of their extensive discography, the recording highlights the band's exploration of complex emotional landscapes and their mastery of atmospheric soundscapes. The track remains a staple in their live performances, demonstrating the enduring power of their songwriting and the deep connection they maintain with their audience through evocative music.