Monday, September 3

Vincent.
(Don McLean)

Starry,
starry night
paint your palette blue and grey
look out on a summer's day
with eyes that know the
darkness in my soul.

Shadows on the hills
sketch the trees and the daffodils
catch the breeze and the winter chills
in colors on the snowy linen land.

Now I understand
what you tried to say to me

how you suffered for your sanity
how you tried to set them free.

They would not listen
they did not know how
perhaps they'll listen now.

Starry, starry night
flaming flowers that brightly blaze
swirling clouds in violet haze reflect in
Vincent's eyes of China blue.

Colors changing hue

morning fields of amber grain
weathered faces lined in pain
are soothed beneath the artist's
loving hand.

Now I understand
what you tried to say to me

how you suffered for your sanity
how you tried to set them free.

They would not listen
they did not know how
perhaps they'll listen now.


For they could not love you
but still your love was true
and when no hope was left in sight on that starry,
starry night...

You took your life
as lovers often do;

But I could have told you,

Vincent,
this world was never
meant for one
as beautiful as you.

Starry, starry night
portraits hung in empty halls
frameless heads on nameless walls
with eyes that watch the world and can't forget.

Like the strangers that you've met

the ragged men in ragged clothes
the silver thorn of bloody rose
lie crushed and broken
on the virgin snow.

Now I think I know
what you tried to say to me

how you suffered for your sanity
how you tried to set them free.

They would not listen

they're not listening still
perhaps they never will.

9 comments:

Hans said...

*** Absolutely brilliant!!!!

JOVIAN said...

wow, i don't think i've ever heard that song. will now...

Thesaurus Rex said...

I used to play this badly and sing it much better in my youth. I might have a bash at a revision. Thanks for the prompt.

Metamatician said...

This was 2Pac's favorite song growing up, if you can believe that. He was a smart and well-read guy, don't kid yourself. Before styling himself "Makavelli" he actually read The Prince by Nicolo Machiavelli and discussed it with other people who were obsessed with reading while he was in jail. He wanted to understand the author's point and intent, he didn't just know the name of some Italian guy who was a ruthless badass (or at least wrote about the exploitation of corrupt politics) and use it, he actually tried to get into character like an actor.

As for the McLean song, he said his mom introduced him to that song and one of the first and only albums he ever bought (rather than tape from a friend or steal) was the one that song was on. He said he felt a huge connection to it.

Sara said...

Just makes me cry. But then I'm such a wuss...

Metamatician said...

You're not a wuss. Well, maybe you are, but if so then so am I. That song affects me too.

Metamatician said...

You play guitar, Rex?

Thesaurus Rex said...

Obligatory for hippies. Since I was 9, first live performance 10. I was almost certainly shite, but when people clap and it MAKES YOU SMILE UNCONTROLLABLY, you tend to want to carry on. It's an ego thing. Bass player really. Picked up guitar again last night and today. Not much has changed, I'm still shite.

Sara said...

Ah but I think we both know you're not.

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