by Don McLean

Starry, starry night

Paint your palette blue and gray

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

And how you suffered for your sanity

And 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

And how you suffered for your sanity

And 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 inside

On that starry, starry night

You took your life as lovers often do--

But I could've 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, a bloody rose

Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow.

.

Now I think I know

What you tried to say, to me

And how you suffered for your sanity

And how you tried to set them free:

They would not listen; they're not listening still--

Perhaps they never will.

.