Vincent

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 field 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 have told you, Vincent,

This world was never meant for one

As beautiful as you.

Starry, starry night.

Portraits hung in empty halls,

Frameless head on nameless walls,

With eyes that watch the world and can't forget.

Like the strangers that you've met,

All the ragged men in the 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...

One of my favorite songs is Vincent written and sung by U.S. folk singer Don Maclean. Several years ago, when I listen to this song for the first time, I was attracted by its soft and moving melody. At that time, my English listening skills were so poor that I was unable to understand the lyrics. But later, I began to know this song on the Internet.

Inspired by famous painting Starry Night, folk singer Don Maclean wrote this song dedicated to Vincent Van Gogh. Accompanied simply by a classical guitar, its natural melody feels almost undesigned. Besides, the beautiful lyrics are also enchanting. With long description, Don portrayed fascinating night sky, ethereal and hazy. As we all know, Van Gogh’s art talent hadn’t been recognized when he was alive. The author’s pity for his pursuit of beauty and freedom was reflected in the lyrics vividly.

I enjoy listening to this song in the night when the whole world has been controlled by silence. It seems that the Vincent brings me to the world of Van Gogh-gorgeous colors and aesthetic experiences. They say that this song is played in the Van Gogh Museum year after year, to accompany Van Gogh and his paintings.