Joanna Newsom Follow

mercy me, the night is long
take my pen to write you this song
Lord, is it harder to carry on
when i know when you are done

all my life, i've felt as though
i'm inside a beautiful
memory replaying with the sound turned down low

long life, show your face
slow heart, curb your taste
come smoke me out of my hiding place
long life, state your case

what in the world are we waiting for?
building glowing cities 'long the shore
where the wind batters, invading my kin
like a matador

so much value placed upon
what lies just beyond our plans
waving my handkerchief
running along to the edge of the sand

long life, speak your name
i'm so tired of the guessing game
but something is moving just out of frame

reaching slowly 'cross the sea
one mast, flash like the stinger of a bee
to take you away; a swarming fleet
is gonna take you from me

the universe is getting loose
sudden spread from some leaden disuse
rushing unhinged towards diminishing lights
like a headless caboose

i'll wait for you alongside the ocean
and make do with my moleskine
but then, long life, will you let me in?
and then, slow heart, are you gonna know him?

long life, speak your name
awa(it/ke) while i bequiet the wave
and when i die, may i relate
and then, slow heart, congregate

to leave your home and your family
for some distortional property
well darling, i can't go (and darling, i can't go)
but you may stay here with me

mercy me, the night is long
take my pen to write you this song
Lord, is it harder to carry on