"Syrup in a Sieve" is the bonus track off this album. It's a dance song about moral responsibility and the purpose of kindness. Being kind has always been my #1 priority and (according to my pals) one of my defining personality traits. This song is partially me venting about how thankless kindness can be. Sometimes I feel like people don't appreciate me or notice how hard I work for them. Sometimes I worry that people just see me as is an awkward mess giving out overly enthusiastic compliments. Sometimes I even feel a little jealous when I see less-than-kind folks being much more successful than I. But this song is also me saying " ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ oh well! That's okay!" The kind option isn't always fun or simple but it always does real, practical good for the world and people around you. "Syrup in a Sieve" is about some pretty complex emotions but the gist is this: you don't get a cookie for being a good person: now go dance and be happy and fulfill your ethical responsibilities :)
lyrics
Lyrics:
My words are made of sugar
But my tongue is made of lead
All clumsy and peculiar
Are the honied words I said
My words melt in the morning
Cause in the morning it rains
The water strips away the sugar
Til just peculiar remains
My mama said to do unto others
As you’d have them do for you
But I’ve been told I’m kind of needy
So there’s a lot for me to do
And I could pretend there’s a glamorous application for kindness
And i could pretend that you get what you give
And i could pretend that i will be recognized
And i’m not just pouring syrup in a sieve
It rains every morning
And almost every night
Yet I never see it coming
And I never get it right
My mama said to do unto others
As you’d have them do for you
But sometimes it feels like the others
Don’t give so much as I do
And I could pretend there’s a pragmatic application for kindness
And i could pretend that you get what you give
And i could pretend that i will be rewarded
And i’m not just pouring syrup in a sieve
Does it do anything
The syrup that I pour
It always seems to disappear
But I give more and more
But one time I made you smile
And that’s worth more than can be said
Birthday cards get thrown away
That doesn’t mean they don’t get read
But at least there is a practical application for kindness
And i don’t need to get what i give
Sometimes i think it’d be nice to be rewarded
But I like pouring syrup in a sieve
credits
from Songs to the Monster Under My Bed,
released May 1, 2021
Mirabai Kukathas (she/they) - lyrics, melody, vocals
Grafton Downs (he/him) - bass
Matt "Sabyu" Sablan (he/him) - electric guitar, drums, production
Thaddeus Turner (he/him) - synth, electric guitar, production
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