J. Tillman - Three Systers

Three sisters
Came to me last night
Last night

They said: There's a boat
On the shore
A gas lantern and one oar
For your trip

Go home
And tell your mother don't
Don't weep for me

Leave everything you have there
For beasts of the field and birds of the air
To trample and steal

Three sisters
Tell me what you're called
You're named by men

Want of love
Said the first
The most noble aim on Earth
And I am known by all

Want of wealth
Said the next
So your work's not meaningless
And I am loved by most

Want of none
Said the third
As her sisters' faces turned
And they seemed to forget me

With one of us
You must sail
It's always been and always will
Though no one's ever told you

My mother lived alone
So I have no need of love
And I have no wish to conquer man
I see no need for needy friends
The sisters laughed

There's truly nothing that you need
You won't miss us when we leave
And I had cast them out

To the boat I was led
As we approached, I turned and said
I need some oil

I said: To light the lamp
I need some oil
To steer the boat I need two oars

The sisters said: Money can buy you oil
And a friend can man an oar