Black

by Pearl Jam

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
And all I taught her was everything
I know she gave me all that she wore

And now my bitter hands chafe beneath the clouds
Of what was everything
All 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

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 have 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 will be

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?