Oh, I cut his hair myself one night…
And he told me that I’d done alright.

Regina Spektor retells the story of Samson and Delilah from the point of view of Delilah. Samson’s was a warrior—the strongest in Israel. No one could figure out the source of his strength. According to the bible, Delilah tricked him into telling her his secret: that it is his hair that gives him his strength. This leads to his demise, as Delilah cuts it into the middle of the night, and Sampson is unable to defend himself, and the whole city falls on him.

Spektor’s Delilah tells a different story. Samson and her were lovers and agreed together that he should cut his hair so that he would become a family man…not a warrior. And their boring story never made the bible, but it is the truth. And of course, the bible is written by men and for different purposes.

Spektor’s “Samson” is a great, unique concept for a song.

The song wouldn’t work without the exquisite melody and piano work by Spektor along with her voice. She tells a story that is quite spectacular, but she never uses the typical diva gimmicks. The song sounds like a genuinely sad tale told by an expert storyteller.

Samson Lyrics

You are my sweetest downfall
I loved you first, I loved you first
Beneath the sheets of paper lies my truth
I have to go, I have to go
Your hair was long when we first met

Samson went back to bed
Not much hair left on his head
He ate a slice of Wonder Bread
And went right back to bed
And the history books forgot about us
And the Bible didn’t mention us
And the Bible didn’t mention us, not even once

You are my sweetest downfall
I loved you first, I loved you first
Beneath the stars came fallin’ on our heads
But they’re just old light, they’re just old light
Your hair was long when we first met

Samson came to my bed
Told me that my hair was red
Told me I was beautiful
And came into my bed
Oh, I cut his hair myself one night
A pair of dull scissors in the yellow light
And he told me that I’d done alright
And kissed me ’til the mornin’ light, the mornin’ light
And he kissed me ’til the mornin’ light

Samson went back to bed
Not much hair left on his head
He ate a slice of Wonder Bread
And went right back to bed
Oh, we couldn’t bring the columns down
Yeah, we couldn’t destroy a single one
And the history books forgot about us
And the Bible didn’t mention us, not even once

You are my sweetest downfall
I loved you first

written by Regina Spektor