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Released in 1991

Crises - Do You Know Who You Are...

Written by Paul McCartney • Carl Davis

Last updated on July 11, 2019

Album This song officially appears on the Liverpool Oratorio Official album.

Timeline This song was officially released in 1991

Master album

Related songs

“Do You Know Who You Are…” is the ninth track of the seventh movement – entitled “Crises” – of Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio, released in 1991.

VII: CRISES. Mary Dee sings to the child inside of her, fretting for it’s future, Shanty arrives home slightly drunk, short-tempered and demanding dinner. They row over money and Shanty’s feelings of inadequacy. Shanty wounds her by doubting her love and Mary Dee storms out – telling him, as she goes, that she is pregnant. In her blind anger and her hurt, she runs in front of a car and is knocked down. In hospital, a nurse wills her to live as – in delirium – Mary Dee sees the ghosts again. She fights to cling on to the life of her baby as the ghosts try to steal it from her. At her bed, Shanty prays, promising to reform if only Mary Dee and the baby are saved.

“Liverpool Oratorio” liner notes

Lyrics

[NURSE]

Do you know who you are

As you lie there sleeping?

Take the time to rest your troubled head

I will watch over you till the moment you awake

Can you hear what I say

As you lie there sleeping?

When misfortunes crowd into your day

And the dark side of life

Has become too much to bear

I will stay by your side

Though we don't yet know if there's something wrong

You were brought in from the street

And a witness said you gave a shout

As you fell down at his feet

We are running tests

And soon the results will be known

But I feel I have to warn you

There may be complications

But we don't yet know if your child is in danger

We shall have to wait and see

In the meantime

There is nothing more for you to do

But sleep

Officially appears on

Bootlegs

Live performances

“Crises - Do You Know Who You Are...” has been played in 7 concerts.

Latest concerts where “Crises - Do You Know Who You Are...” has been played

See all concerts where “Crises - Do You Know Who You Are...” has been played

Going further

Paul McCartney: Music Is Ideas. The Stories Behind the Songs (Vol. 2) 1990-2012

This new book by Luca Perasi traces Paul McCartney's post-Beatles output from 1990 to 2012 in the form of 250 song entries, filled with details about the recordings, stories behind the sessions and musical analysis. His pop albums, his forays into classical and avant-garde music, his penchant for covering old standards: a complete book to discover how these languages cross-pollinate and influence each other.

The second volume in a series that has established itself as a unique guide to take the reader on a journey into the astonishing creativity of Paul McCartney.

Read our exclusive interview with Luca Perasi

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