Iron and Wine - The Trapeze Swinger

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"The Trapeze Swinger" from Iron and Wine’s 5/18/09 release, Around the Well

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[sassypotatochip]

My dad recently passed away and he wanted this song performed at the funeral. I will always cry whenever I hear this song.

[maxs.]

"Remember me, my misery
And how it lost me all I wanted..."

Hit me like a sledgehammer. How does this man write such beautiful lines?

[ManofUlster]

Halloween parties, piggy banks, planning childhood adventures on a map and counting cars passing by - all these little pedestrian moments that seem to mean nothing, but ultimately make up a life. What a weird, amazing dance we’re all part of. I’m 21 years old and am regularly brought to incredulous smiling laughter at the prospect of seeing where it all goes. Peace and love.

[ohmybillnye]

Every time I hear this song I always start to tear up when the vocal harmony kicks in and he sings "Please remember me, my misery, and how it lost me all I wanted"

[kidengineer]

My 34 yr old brother requested this played at his funeral. He passed from cancer in 2018. Most beautiful song but breaks my heart every time I hear it. You can actually feel the breaking...does anyone else get that?

[rcjzdyi]

absolute masterpiece. it paints a portrait in your head of life, it's highs and lows, it's beauty and ugliness, that feeling of aimlessness and mystery; thousands of souls trying to make sense of a universe they don't fully understand. Those brave trapeze swingers daring to live

[lillianmartinez]

I lost someone very dear to me about 2 years ago. Every time I hear this song, it's like hearing him saying to me "please remember me" Always.

[learningmadeeasyforchildren]

I lost my Dad 2009 and I was 9, it hurt and everytime I play this song it reminds me of him and it gives me a sense of healing 🥺🥺. I miss you Dad and I love you ❤️

[CrazyHoodie]

My girlfriend showed me this song the first night we ever spent together. It brings back every memory of her and makes me think of how much I love her. I'm gonna marry this girl. This song will play at my wedding and my funeral.

[nirvanaindica]

This is masterpiece,
This is love,
This is freedom,
This is magic,
This melody is key of happiness.

[leslieannaconnally]

My Patrick learned this song and played on my birthday; he passed nearly two years ago. This song is lyrical poetry. And will forever remind me of my gorgeous human.

[bubsamatic]

A few years ago I had a bad cancer diagnosis, I've always loved this beautiful song but then the full power of legacy with one person really hit.

[DngrDan]

No one can claim to know what the lyrics really mean besides the man who wrote them. It's a fantastic and deeply personal love letter. But we can all relate to some lines in one way or another. Beautiful song.

[damiendedonatis]

A true beauty. As you get older, experience more, the more this song calms you down and makes you think. Enjoy your time. It’s precious.

[Gandaleon]

Interesting to read how people have favourite parts of the lyrics. My heart always jumps in my chest when I hear:

"Please, remember me
Seldomly
In the car behind the carnival
My hand between your knees
You turn from me
And said 'The trapeze act was wonderful
But never meant to last'"

Especially "never meant to last" ... to me, it says something about learning to let go *especially* of the things we love and that we cling to. I might be completely off here, but I prefer to understand it that way.

[epochphilosophy]

The fact that this is arguably the most powerful set of lyrics ever written in history, combined with the fact that the song is over 9 minutes long truly shows how absolutely talented this dude is. How he wrote this, and is able to remember it live is a damn miracle itself.

Borderline the greatest song ever written.

[dimitrir]

9minutes of poetry, warm arrangements and a voice so calm... complete escape from these strange times 😞

[itsmemasud]

A magical human being, my heavenly penfriend Nusutu, shared her favorite song with me when I asked her about it. Since then, I haven’t been able to stop playing it—even during power outages, when it’s not playing on my PC, it feels like someone keeps the song alive within me.

Nusutu, if you ever see this comment, please know you have my heartfelt respect and gratitude—for reasons you understand. Thank you, Nusu.

[JoeMacintoshh]

this song makes me miss high school. unaware of what life was truly like, 11 years later and this song still cuts deeper than anything.

[MBungle]

this man has a way with songwriting that cuts directly to the point ... it's so emotionally confrontational in such a beautiful gentle and accessable way... it makes me feel like i'm not crazy or alone.. Sam Beam gets 11/10 every time. So underrated. Timeless songwriter.