Story Behind The Song

Liked the play on words of a still life painting of a chair and the painter's chair being still after the artist's sudden passing.

Song Description

A lonely walk through the farm and land once shared not so long ago with a painter/loved one, leaving behind the physical things but keeping the painful, regretful, and sometimes wonderful memories.

Lyrics

All That I've Left

Well the walk this spring morning is cold
And our farmhouse is empty and sold
It's the last time I'll walk 'long our river
And touch the trees that delivered
Your crimson, burnt orange, and gold.

You were always amazed this time of year
How fast the sun set and the chills reappeared
I think back to all of your pain
As the doctors would claim that
You'd be out of the woods, in the clear.

But oh what a show while your curtain was closing
Now your rocking chair's empty and still
It's all that I've left

I remember so much from that day
Watched your eyes well as the branches kept swaying
Felt the same wind you'd been painting
As your color slowly faded
From sunshine to dishwater grey

But oh what a show while your curtain was closing
Now your rocking chair's empty and still
It's all that I've left
It's all that I've left

And the sun always found its way to your face
As you're laying in bed after everything's been said like a prayer
All the places we never went! All the letters never sent into thin air

One thing you left was a canvas half begun
Of your rocking chair worn out and numb
I still hear it crackling and creaking
Through loose boards in the ceiling
Oh some things just never get done

© 2010 Matthew Scharpf