Story Behind The Song

The starting point for this song was a period of deep loss and difficult change. The losses included loss of health, sense of self and significant friendships, as well as the experience of criminal assault in the home and the death of a close friend. Following many discussions with friends and lovers about their ways of coping with grief and loss, the song expanded to incorporate the possibility of sitting with experiences and feelings which initially may seem too vile to be borne.

Song Description

This song describes the deep grief one might feel about serious loss. Examples inlclude universallife experiences such as aging and ailing, through to severe trauma such as during war or sexual abuse.

Lyrics

The Grieving Song

it is over, my time in the sun
and my years in the shade have begun
with the witnesses to my heroism gone
one dead, two still angry, three moved on

and I?ve got no words to edify
no phrase to keep you strong
and I?m breaking all my promises
and writing a grieving song

it is over, my time in the sun
and my years in the shade have begun
with the witnesses to my heroism gone
one dead, two still angry, three moved on

and the track that lies ahead of me
is frighteningly opaque
but the well-worn and familiar is one
I can longer take

it is over, my time in the sun
and my years in the shade have begun
with the witnesses to my heroism gone
one dead, two still angry, three moved on

and I have tried to tunnel under it
I?ve tried to lurch around
and I have tried to stumble over it
obliterate the sound
but here it is
unconscionable
and indescribably vile

can I sit with it, sit with it a while
sit with it, sit with it
sit with it, sit with it a while
sit with it, sit with it a while

it is over my time in the sun (sit with it a while)
it is over my time in the sun (sit with it a while)
it is over my time in the sun (sit with it a while)
it is over my time in the sun (sit with it a while)

words/music copyright vicki bennett 2004