> Steeleye Span > Songs > Tell Me Why

Tell Me Why

[trad. arr. Steeleye Span]

Tell Me Why is a song from Steeleye Span’s 19801980 reunion album Sails of Silver. This riddle song is a variant of Child #1, Bow Down to the Bonny Broom.

Lyrics

Steeleye Span sing Tell Me Why

What is deeper than the sea?
What is higher than a tree?
And what is louder than a horn?
What is sharper than a thorn?

What is lighter than the light?
What is darker than the night?
And what is colder than the clay?
What is broader than the way?

Chorus:
Tell me why
So many questions
Tell me why
The devil lies
Tell me why
Who will live or who will die?

Tell me why
So many questions
Tell me why
The devil lies
Tell me why
Which way leads to Paradise?
Tell me why
Tell me why

Hell is deeper than the sea
Heaven is higher than a tree
And thunder is louder than a horn
Hunger is sharper than a thorn

Truth is whiter than the light
The devil is darker than the night
And death is colder than the clay
Love is broader than the way

Chorus

Live or die
Tell me why