Anniversary
Vanishing Act: Unraveling the Enigmatic Departure in Al Stewart's 'Anniversary'
Lyrics
This is the day you disappeared
This marks the day of your disappearance
Your hand was steady and I know that your mind was clear
Your hand was steady, indicating clarity of thought
You left a note up on the shelf
You left a note on the shelf
Saying "I would rather be anyone but myself"
The note expressed a desire to be someone other than oneself
You took a simple ride across the Great Divide
You undertook a simple journey across the Great Divide
You left the television on in you room
You left the television on in your room
Your friends were sad although they said "I told you so"
Your friends were saddened despite having warned you
You never really did fit into your skin
You never truly felt comfortable in your own skin
The small annoying things you do
The small irritating actions you did were endearing initially
All seemed so cute and entertaining when they were new
Over time, these actions lost their charm
This kind of honeymoon can't last
This type of honeymoon phase couldn't endure
I think you knew you wore your welcome out much too fast
It seems you realized you overstayed your welcome too quickly
I was surprised to see you played the lottery
Surprisingly, you participated in the lottery
Your winning ticket you won't need anymore
Your winning ticket is now irrelevant
You were in such a rush you never stopped to check
You were in such a hurry that you didn't check your jacket pocket
You jacket pocket on your way out the door
This rush happened on your way out the door
This is your anniversary
Today is your anniversary
I'll light a candle in the window so you might see
I will light a candle, symbolizing hope, for you to see
This is the day you had to go
This marks the day you had to depart
Good-bye then, this concludes your portion of the show
Farewell, this concludes your part in the story
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