A Tribute to Starry Nights
The Starry Night
Vincent Van Gogh
Painted June 1889, Saint Remy
"Vincent"
by Don McClean
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 daffodils,
Catch the breeze and 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,
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.
For they could not love you,
But still your love was true.
And when no hope was left in sight
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,
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.
Don was an artist and even though he always said I was "prejudiced," I believe he was a good one. I hope to create a page in the future with some of his art so that I can share with you.
The Starry Night was Don's favorite painting by Van Gogh (his favorite artist). Although
I have always loved art, I really grew to a newer appreciation as I viewed it through Don's eyes.
Once when he was in NYC for a conference, the meetings grew boring and he decided to leave and take a walk...to his surprise...he came upon a Van Gogh exhibit...and there it was The Starry Night...He said that was one of his greatest moments..
Last spring, I took my first trip to New York...walked into the Metropolitan Museum...into the rooms with the Van Goghs...and Monets (my other favorite) and I cried...I stood there with tears rolling down my cheeks...That must have been how he felt when he saw this painting.
I never see a Van Gogh...or hear the song "Vincent" without thinking of Don...so this painting and this song are very special to me. Thanks for sharing them with me....Rhonda
If you would like to see more of Van Gogh or other great artists, please visit one of my favorite links below.
ReNATssance Art
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