Drawn to the Blood
Sufjan Stevens · Carrie & Lowell [2015]
The flight of a one-winged dove
How? How did this happen?
How? How did this happen?
The strength of his arm
My lover caught me off guard
How? Head of a rabbit
How? Head of a rabbit
For my prayer has always been love
What did I do to deserve this?
With blood on my sleeve
Delilah, avenge my grief
How? God of Elijah
How? God of Elijah
As fire to the sun
Tell me what I have done
How? Heart of a dragon
How? Heart of a dragon
For my prayer has always been love
What did I do to deserve this now?
How did this happen?
Drawn to the Blood
Sufjan Stevens delivers a hauntingly atmospheric track on the 2015 album Carrie & Lowell, blending folk instrumentation with electronic textures to explore themes of obsession and emotional vulnerability. The song exemplifies Stevens' ability to weave personal narrative with expansive sonic landscapes, characteristic of his work during the mid-2010s. By integrating elements of indie-folk and ambient music, the recording creates a moody soundscape that reflects the introspective nature of the album's title character. Stevens' vocal delivery remains intimate yet distant, reinforcing the song's focus on the complexities of desire and its potential to consume the self. This piece stands as a testament to his ongoing exploration of American identity and the darker undercurrents of human connection.