Empty - Ray LaMontagne

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'Of these cutthroat busted sunsets, these cold and damp white mornings I have grown weary'.

First, to any that don't know it I should explain why 'Empty' for a song about a beautiful Cornish sunset? And the link is more tenuous than some of the more obvious photo/mp3 choices, but it is solely to pay homage to LaMontagne's lyrical poetry. The above line is finely crafted, a fine example of the imagery used throughout the lyrics of LaMontagne's largely solo album 'Til the Sun Turns Black'. itunes

In no previous post have I included someone else's full lyrics, but this reads so beautifully and explains the photo using words superior to any I could try to shape.

She lifts her skirt up to her knees
walks through the garden rows
with her bare feet laughing.

I never learned to count my blessings
I choose instead to dwell
in my disasters.

I walk on down the hill
through grass grown tall
and brown and still
it's hard somehow
to let go of my pain.

On past the busted back
of that old and rusted Cadillac
that sinks into this field
collecting rain.

Will I always feel this way?
So empty,
so estranged?

Of these cut throat busted sunsets,
these cold and damp white mornings,
I have grown weary.

If through my cracked and dusty
dime store lips
I spoke these words out loud
would no one hear me?

Lay your blouse across the chair,
let fall the flowers
from your hair
and kiss me
with that country mouth
so plain.

Outside, the rain is tapping
on the leaves.
To me it sounds like
they're applauding us
the quiet love
we've made.

Will it always feel this way
so empty
so estranged?

well I looked my demons in the eyes
lay bare my chest
said do your best
to destroy me.

I've been to hell and back
so many times
I must admit
you kinda bore me.

There's a lot of things
that can kill a man
there's a lot of ways
to die.
Yes, and some already did
and walk beside me.

There's a lot of things
I don't understand,
like why so many people lie.
It's the hurt I hide that fuels
the fire inside me.

Will I always feel this way
so empty
so estranged?