Have No Heart

Written by S. Nicks
 

She was fourteen now, in a year, fifteen
Now she was a princess, soon she'd be a queen
She had no friends; she remained far apart
They were afraid of her
She had no heart

And she asked the little man to dance
And he loved her instantly, they say
Enough to even give up his life
Living without her
Not be worth living

And the other children danced with her
He was the one she sang to
Sometimes she let him hold her in his arms
And she would taunt him
"Who are you anyway?
'Cause you are no one to me at all"

"Why will he not dance again?" she cried
"Is he dead or is he in a trance?"
If he had lived, well, he might have made the king smile
But he died of a broken heart
"Well, in the future," said she
"Send no one to me who has a heart"

She was fourteen now, in a year, fifteen
Now she was a princess, soon she'd be a queen
Then she'll have friends; she won't remain far apart
Maybe someday
She will find a heart

'Cause living away from her
Just not be worth living
No, living away from her
Would not be worth living
No, living away from her
Just would not be worth living

She says, "Why will he not dance again?"
If he loved her enough to give up his life
(Not be worth living)
'Cause living without her
Just wasn't worth living

Maybe one day
She will find a heart
Have a heart
Be worth living
Please have a heart
It's not worth living

 

WEBMISTRESS speculates:

This song doesn't sound very autobiographical at first, a fanciful story about a princess and a lover who died of a broken heart for her....but there is one verse I find more clearly applicable to Stevie's life. For instance, "...He was the one she sang to" - that definitely echoes Stevie and how she sings to Lindsey. Then, she says "...she would taunt him." That reminds me very much of the lyric "and she tried to taunt him" from Rooms on Fire. Otherwise, I don't find much here relevant to Stevie directly, except perhaps the broader theme of not appreciating love until it's gone.

 

SARA speculates:

Stevie's song "Have No Heart" was based on an Oscar Wilde tale titled "The Birthday of the Infanta," a story about a heartless young Spanish princess. For anyone that's interested, you can read the entire story here: http://www.planetmonk.com/wilde/pomegranates/infanta.html

 

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