Lyrics

I knew you wanted to tell me
In your voice there was something wrong
But if you would turn your face away from me
You cannot tell me you’re so strong…
Just let me ask of you one small thing
As we have shared so many tears
With fever our dreams we planned a whole life long
Now are scattered on the wind…

In the terms of endearment
In the terms of the life that you love
In the terms of the years that pass you by
In the terms of the reasons why

Through the years I’ve grown to love you
Though your commitment to most would offend
But I stuck by you holding on with my foolish pride
Waiting for you to give in…
You never really tried, or so it seems
I’ve had more than myself to blame
I’ve had enough of trying everything
And this time it is the end…

In the terms of endearment
In the terms of the life that you love
In the terms of the years that pass you by
In the terms of the reasons why

There’s no more coming back this way
The path is overgrown and strewn with thorns
They’ve torn the life blood from your naked eyes
Cast aside to be forlorn…

In the terms of endearment
In the terms of the life that you love
In the terms of the years that pass you by
In the terms of all the reasons why

In the terms of endearment
In the terms of the life that you love
In the terms of the years that pass you by
In the terms of all the reasons why

Funny, how it seems that all I’ve tried to do
Seemed to make no difference to you at all…
I love you

 

Appears on

Solace (1991)
Mirrorball (1999)
Mirrorball: The Complete Concert (2006)
Closer: The Best Of Sarah McLachlan (2008)
The Essential Sarah McLachlan (2013)

Fumbling Towards Ecstasy Live DVD (1994)
Video Collection 1989-1994 (1995)
Mirrorball DVD (1999)
Video Collection 1989-1998 (2000)

The Path Of Thorns (Terms) (single)

 

Versions

Album Version
from “Solace”
Track length: 5:51

Live: Fumbling Towards Ecstasy Live
from “Fumbling Towards Ecstasy Live DVD”
Track length: ???

Live: Mirrorball
from “Mirrorball”
Track length: 6:04

Live: Mirrorball The Complete Concert
from “Mirrorball: The Complete Concert”
Track length: 6:32

Live exclusive: The Cities’ Sampler
from “The Cities’ Sampler Vol. 4: Keepsakes”
Track length: ???

Live exclusive: KGSR Broadcasts
from “KGSR Broadcasts Vol. 2”
Track length: ???

Radio Edit
from “The Path Of Thorns (Terms)” (Single)
Track length: 4:10

 

Compilations

Credits

Vocals, Acoustic Guitar: Sarah McLachlan
Drums, Tamborine: Ronald Jones
Bass: Daryl Exnicious
Acoustic and Electric Guitars: Bill Dillon
Organ: Pierre Marchand

 

Collaborations

–

 

Trivia/Notes

–

 

Sarah says

“How about one more jilted love song before I move on? It sorta seems that the more depressing, or the more sad the song, the more joy I get out of singing it. Probably because I’ve been in most of these situations at some point or the other in my life and … it’s been kinda crappy. And uh, it is an amazing retribution standing up on stage here feeling so damn good and, uh, knowing that I’ve been there and I’m here now and I feel way, way better. [laughs]. The last one was from my second record Solace and this one is as well, it’s called Path of Thorns.”
– Mirrorball DVD

“The song isn’t about me, although I put myself into it through the video. I’ve never been in a long relationship so I can’t really know what it’s like. That’s why there’s a seperation, between me and the dancers. It’s not about me.”
– VOX Magazine 1991

 

Music Video