The Dead
Navigating Love's Turbulent Seas: Ryan O'Reilly's 'The Dead' Story
Lyrics
Everyone was invited now you're sitting in the dark
Feeling excluded despite being invited, sitting in darkness.
You pretend to fall asleep so I won't fall apart
Pretending to sleep to avoid emotional breakdown.
I go to switch the light on, shut the window or you'll freeze
Attending to practical matters to care for the person.
I'm about to say I love you but I know you'll disagree
Hesitation to express love due to expected disagreement.
There's music from downstairs, laughing outside
Awareness of external joy while internal emotions are unclear.
I can't see your face I don't know if you've cried
Inability to see the partner's emotions.
I lay my coat on the bed and untie both my shoes
Preparing to make a significant decision.
I can't see an option and it is now time to choose
Facing a situation without clear options.
I'm the birthday boy on a scarlet ship
Metaphorical reference to a birthday boy on a troubled journey.
The life boat's gone, the iceberg hit
Alluding to a life-changing event and loss.
There's a marching band, couples holding hands
Contrast between celebration and sorrow.
cll the living and the dead
Connection between the living and the dead.
You wake up before me, push the curtains aside
Partner waking up earlier, observing the day.
The palest of days the lowest of tides
Describing a melancholic day.
While you're brushing your hair there's a knock at the door
Interrupted moment with an unexpected visitor.
I try to guess what you're thinking but I'm not really sure
Difficulty in understanding the partner's thoughts.
You're like a figurine dancing so serene
Partner portrayed as delicate and graceful.
Out on the empty stage
Imagery of a performance on an empty stage.
cs the party ends you kiss all your friends
Kissing friends as a symbolic act after an event.
cll the living and the dead
Connection between the living and the dead reiterated.
I find myself making lists in my head
Engaging in introspection and mental organization.
Untying the knots and pulling the threads
Reflecting on past experiences and relationships.
You had fallen asleep as I drive you back home
Transporting a sleeping partner back home.
The loneliest girl that I've ever known
Describing the partner as profoundly lonely.
You had fallen in love but so long ago
Partner fell in love long ago, struggling to move on.
You can't find the pieces to let go
Difficulty in finding closure from a past relationship.
c childhood ghost, the immaculate host
References to childhood memories and significant events.
The wedding dress, the best man's toast
Symbolic elements of a wedding celebration.
You read Joyce aloud to the departing crowd
Reading literature to a departing audience.
You look perfect in your dark blue shroud
Imagery of elegance and perfection in sorrow.
c winter's rose, misunderstood prose
Reference to misunderstood poetic expressions of winter.
The path you took but never chose
Reflecting on life choices and paths not taken.
There's a marching beat you, kick up your feet
Highlighting a rhythmic and determined movement.
There's beauty in a close defeat
Finding beauty in the face of near defeat.
Forget what I said, I kiss your sleeping head
Expressing affection to the sleeping partner.
For all the living and the dead
Final acknowledgment of both the living and the dead.
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