Swans - Blood Promise

Hello, thank you for listening to our music. I hope it gives you some joy and pleasure.

I am pleased that you have discovered our music through this medium. I view this experience as the equivalent of previewing a record in a record store in days of old. However, if you wish to experience the music in its' fullest form, I would strongly encourage you to acquire it in a physical format you can bring into your home. Not only will you then be able to experience the richest version of the music sonically, but you will also be afforded the opportunity to enjoy the tangible artwork, which was conceived in tandem with the music, and serves as a further portal to experiencing the total conceptual and spiritual and emotional content of the work we have labored, lovingly, to bring to you.

I love you,

- Michael Gira / Swans / Young God Records

[Komnens]

This version of the song is underrated. The one on "Swans Are Dead" is a cool post-rock piece, but I just love how this sounds. The moody neofolk instrumentation and somber lyrics meld together to create an incredible atmosphere.

[carpademen]

If you are depressed and can listen to the Swans without commiting suicide you have made a great step, this is my true observation. A beautiful and true band, absolutely incredible.

[jamesguillorytheirascibleh]

Why doesn't this have more love? This is one of the greatest songs of all time, and literally nothing sounds like this.

[aziraphale]

Michael Gira, I love you too. Thank you for all your music that is dark and disturbing and beautiful and will never have anything ever come close to it in its uniqueness

[DemonSlide]

When I first started my university courses, back in 2010 and 2011, I used to travel for two hours eveyday to get to the campus.
I lived far away, or the school was far away, one of the two.
Needless to say, I would take my Ipod with me.
I was going through a serious Swans kick back then, just newly discovering their genius music.
Soon enough, those excursions in the name of education and me being on time to class (which I never was anyway) became hardcore listening sessions devoted to this record and "Soundtracks for the Blind" I was playing them to death, sometimes going into a deep trance that was hard to come of.
It was hard to pretend I wanted to listen to anything anybody had to say after experiencing such stellar works of art.
Suddenly the mundane commuting and public transportation seemed fun and almost something that I was looking forward to, even more so than going to class.
Since I was always late, once I got to campus I would take major strolls around and keep listening to more.
I became obsessed.
It was almost too good.
I couldn't help it.
I was enthralled.
I always listened to some more on the way back and on bathroom breaks.
I ended up ditching that class only to come back at the end of the course and pass it on one test.
Swans became my favorite band.
And I was about to really see what it was all about.

[someguy]

No matter what i'll always have this song, along with the memories it brings back.

[TomatoCan]

"Oh, that song was written about the time a friend promised they'd drive me to a blood donation clinic." - MIchael Gira

[cranklabexplosion-labcentr]

This is the music that plays in the background of a dimly lit room while you and you’re just realized forever lover stare through the eyes of each other while talking about the universe n s*it

[tropicwave]

Blood Promise
Swans
Produced by Michael Gira
Album: The Great Annihilator

[Live Only]
We are poor little lambs who have lost our way
Baa, baa, baa

[Verse 1]
When silence falls
And light remains
And time is born
Beneath the Sun
I'll hide your name
Inside a word
And paint your eyes
With false perception
And I feel your mind
In everything
And every breath
Destroys a sound
And I never will follow
A false sensation
And I'll always believe
Your blood promise

[Refrain]
Na na na
Na na
Na na na
Na na
Na na na
Na na
Na na na
Na na

[Verse 2]
And every breath
I stole from you
And I never will see
Your broken body
And you never have spoken
An unclear word
And I'll never betray
Your blood promise

[Refrain]
Na na na na
Na na na
Na na na na
Na na na
Na na na na
Na na na
Na na na na
Na na na

[Live Only]

[Instrumental]
Don't stop!

Well, we are done
And we'd like to thank you for being here-



Written by: Michael Gira
Copyright (c) – Young God Publishing
Release Date: 1994

[Part-TimeYouTubeCommenter]

The atmosphere of this song, plus Michael's singing, is... Just... Bro 😩.

[Phillibos]

i dont get how this masterpiece has just so few views. in my opinion one of the best swans tracks, this thing has a lot of magic in it. it's one of my alltime favorite tracks in general. thanks alot michael gira, you are a big inspiration.

[MaliciousChickenAgenda]

I can`t stop listening to this band, they`re incredible :)

[marcochies]

When silence falls
And light remains
And time is born
Beneath the Sun
I'll hide your name
Inside a word
And paint your eyes
With false perception
And I feel your mind
In everything
And every breath
Destroys a sound
And I never will follow
A false sensation
And I'll always believe
Your blood promise

[Refrain]
Na na na
Na na
Na na na
Na na
Na na na
Na na
Na na na
Na na

[Verse 2]
And every breath
I stole from you
And I never will see
Your broken body
And you never have spoken
An unclear word
And I'll never betray
Your blood promise

[ignaciomedina]

This is one of the most dark and beatiful song ever made

[mickyvionsellinas]

Genius this is ...
It has a dreamy melty, ethereal quality, and at the volume these baskits play at it, it gets embeded in your psyche, which is nice ;D
Cheers for downloading ...

[mariateresaribeironantes]

Unmissable!!! Awesome !!! Relentless !!!

[lloydonlead]

The Swans are a very unique band. They sound like no one and nobody sounds like them. This album is great but very dark. There lightest albums were White Light from the Mouth of Infinity. And maybe The Burning World. Calling those albums lighter maybe a stretch.

[---nvxm]

It's odd how different the Swans are Dead version is compared to this one.

[nedd.]

The live version is cool, but I much prefer the subtle, brooding desperation of the studio version.

[adamesse]

If you like this version of the song, check out the band Dead Can Dance, particularly the album "In the Realm of a Dying Sun."