Late Text Tuesdays – Lyrics From Pearl Jam’s “Black”

Tags

10, 1991, 1998, Atlanta, Azul, Azul Louis, Black, Blue Hurt, Blue Lines, California, Chapel Hill, E Ballad, Eddie Jerome Vedder, Eddie Vedder, FIrst Relationships, Georgia, Key Walker, Key Yemaya Walker, Keypsiia, Keypsiia Walker, Keypsiia Yemaya Walker, Marraige, music, North Carolina, Pearl Jam, poetry, Poetry Reading, Poetry Slam, Proposal, Prose, Ring, Sacramento, Stone C. Gossard, Stone Gossard, Ten, UNC, UNC Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, World Wide Lounge, Yin Yang Cafe

I had two different concepts of something to write this week, however as time escaped me, I look to pull something from Blue Lines, that captured some of the ideas in the latter piece I wanted to write. When perusing my manuscript, I happened upon the scene at the fictional World Wide Lounge (based on Atlanta’s now defunct Yin Yang Cafe) were during a pivotal conversation/argument between Keypsiia Walker and Blue Hurt early in their friendship, after his poetry reading.
Words are powerful, and the song amazes my because of such. For one to ask these questions of another seems out of place, and direct, but many expect to get these answers, without the questions being asked.
This song is a song that I hold very close to my heart, though the tone seems sad or grim, I actually used elements of the piece during an extremely important recommendation. And it’s my karaoke go to song.

To be fair, Eddie Vedder explained it as such, “It’s a harsh one, because then your truest one is the one you can’t have forever.” I’d hat eto agree with that.

Pearl Jam
“Black”
Eddie Vedder, Stone Gossard

Hey, oh
Sheets of empty canvas
Untouched sheets of clay
Were laid spread out before me
As her body once did
All five horizons
Revolved around her soul
As the earth to the sun
Now the air I tasted and breathed
Has taken a turn

Oh and all I taught her was everything
Oh I know she gave me all that she wore
And now my bitter hands
Chafe beneath the clouds
Of what was everything
Oh the pictures have
All been washed in black
Tattooed everything
I take a walk outside
I’m surrounded by
Some kids at play
I can feel their laughter
So why do I sear
Oh, and twisted thoughts that spin
Round my head
I’m spinning
Oh, I’m spinning
How quick the sun can, drop away

And now my bitter hands
Cradle broken glass
Of what was everything
All the pictures had
All been washed in black
Tattooed everything
All the love gone bad
Turned my world to black
Tattooed all I see
All that I am
All I’ll be

Yeah
I know someday you’ll have a beautiful life
I know you’ll be a star
In somebody else’s sky
But why
Why
Why can’t it be
Why can’t it be mine

The manuscript Blue Lines is the fictional coming of age narrative of a young California woman Key Yemaya Walker, and her 2 year growing journey through school, love, and life period piece, written by Kenneth Suffern, Jr., taking place at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill between the years of 1997 – 1998. Loosely based on true events, and experiences during that time, told through the eyes and voice of the main female protagonist, a freshman first attending the school.