Painting Black
Brushing Shadows: Dorothea Wessel's Melancholic Reflections
Lyrics
Success
Expressing a desire for success
Prosperity
Expressing a desire for prosperity
And love
Expressing a desire for love
Is what I want
Desire for something impressive
Impress
Desire for proficiency
Proficiency
Desire for a gentle and persuasive approach ("velvet glove")
A velvet glove
Reiteration of the desire for something impressive
Is what I want
Reiteration of the desire for proficiency and a gentle approach
So Charles, why did you give me this tragedy?
Questioning why a tragedy was given by someone named Charles
From ”Great expectations” to black reality
Referencing the shift from positive expectations to a bleak reality
Colored by Tim, and the songs of Tom
Mentioning influences from Tim and songs of Tom in the situation
Big eyes starin', but it will never come
Describing a situation where success or fulfillment seems unattainable
Where the light goes, the shadow follows
Highlighting the inevitability of shadows accompanying light
It can't run away, I can't run away
Emphasizing the inability to escape from challenges or difficulties
Rubbin' salt, I'm lyin on the floor
Expressing the pain and difficulty experienced
Tryin' to hide the real pain with some more
Attempting to conceal real pain with additional actions
So Charles, why did you give me this tragedy?
Repetition of the question to Charles about the given tragedy
From ”Great expectations” to black reality
Reiteration of the shift from positive expectations to a bleak reality
Colored by Tim, and the songs of Tom
Mentioning influences from Tim and songs of Tom in the situation (repeated)
Big eyes starin', but it will never come
Repeating the sense of unfulfilled anticipation despite big eyes
So Charles, why did you give me this tragedy? (Tragedy)
Repetition of the question to Charles with emphasis on tragedy
From ”Great expectations” to black reality
Restating the shift from positive expectations to a bleak reality
I'm colored by Tim, and the songs of Tom (Songs of Tom)
Repeating influences from Tim and songs of Tom (repeated)
Big eyes starin', but it will never come
Reiteration of the sense of unfulfilled anticipation despite big eyes
(Somebody help me)
An expression of distress, seeking help
(So what just happend)
A rhetorical question about a recent event
(To the painting, and all the colors, both my hands)
Questioning the fate of a painting and the colors used
(Black as coal, black as coal)
Describing the painting as entirely black
(Painting Black)
Title repetition, emphasizing the act of painting black
Pick up the brush, it's cryin' black tears
Encouraging the action of using a brush to paint with black tears
Isolated in a trance, apply 'em on the canvas
Describing isolation and a trance-like state while applying paint
An irrational procedure, an intense smell of oil
Characterizing the painting process as irrational with a strong smell of oil
Walking down the cul-de-sac
Walking down a dead-end street, suggesting a sense of hopelessness
Painting black
Repetition of the central theme, painting everything black
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