The Lyrics of Don McLean: American Pie - Phs.poteau.k12.ok.us

<strong>The</strong> <strong>Lyrics</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Don</strong> <strong>McLean</strong>: <strong>American</strong> <strong>Pie</strong><br />

(1971)Vincent<br />

by <strong>Don</strong> <strong>McLean</strong><br />

Starry, starry night<br />

Paint your palette blue and gray<br />

Look out on a summer's day<br />

With eyes that know the darkness in my soul...<br />

Shadows on the hills<br />

Sketch the trees and the daffodils<br />

Catch the breeze and the winter chills<br />

In colors on the snowy linen land.<br />

Now I understand<br />

What you tried to say, to me<br />

And how you suffered for your sanity<br />

And how you tried to set them free:<br />

<strong>The</strong>y would not listen; they did not know how --<br />

Perhaps they'll listen now.<br />

Starry, starry night<br />

Flaming flowers that brightly blaze<br />

Swirling clouds in violet haze<br />

Reflect in Vincent's eyes <strong>of</strong> china blue<br />

Colors changing hue<br />

Morning fields <strong>of</strong> amber grain<br />

Weathered faces lined in pain<br />

Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand.<br />

Now I understand<br />

What you tried to say, to me<br />

And how you suffered for your sanity<br />

And how you tried to set them free:<br />

<strong>The</strong>y would not listen; they did not know how--<br />

Perhaps they'll listen now.<br />

For they could not love you<br />

But still, your love was true<br />

And when no hope was left inside<br />

On that starry, starry night<br />

You took your life as lovers <strong>of</strong>ten do--<br />

But I could've told you, Vincent:<br />

This world was never meant<br />

For one as beautiful as you.

---

Starry, Starry night<br />

Portraits hung in empty halls<br />

Frameless heads on nameless walls<br />

With eyes that watch the world and can't forget<br />

Like the strangers that you've met<br />

<strong>The</strong> ragged men in ragged clothes<br />

<strong>The</strong> silver thorn, a bloody rose<br />

Lie cr<strong>us</strong>hed and broken on the virgin snow.<br />

Now I think I know<br />

What you tried to say, to me<br />

And how you suffered for your sanity<br />

And how you tried to set them free:<br />

<strong>The</strong>y would not listen; they're not listening still--<br />

Perhaps they never will.