song: If We Were Vampires
artist: Jason Isbell
album: The Nashville Sound
released: 2017-06-16length: 3:27
It's not the long flowing dress that you're in
Or the light coming off of your skin
The fragile heart you protected for so long
Or the mercy in your sense of right and wrong
It's not your hands, searching slow in the dark
Or your nails leaving love's watermark
It's not the way you talk me off the roof
Your questions like directions to the truth
It's knowing that this can't go on forever
Likely one of us will have to spend some days alone
Maybe we'll get forty years together
But one day I'll be gone or one day you'll be gone
If we were vampires and death was a joke
We'd go out on the sidewalk and smoke
And laugh at all the lovers and their plans
I wouldn't feel the need to hold your hand
Maybe time running out is a gift
I'll work hard 'til the end of my shift
And give you every second I can find
And hope it isn't me who's left behind
It's knowing that this can't go on forever
Likely one of us will have to spend some days alone
Maybe we'll get forty years together
But one day I'll be gone or one day you'll be gone
It's knowing that this can't go on forever
Likely one of us will have to spend some days alone
Maybe we'll get forty years together
But one day I'll be gone or one day you'll be gone
Or the light coming off of your skin
The fragile heart you protected for so long
Or the mercy in your sense of right and wrong
It's not your hands, searching slow in the dark
Or your nails leaving love's watermark
It's not the way you talk me off the roof
Your questions like directions to the truth
It's knowing that this can't go on forever
Likely one of us will have to spend some days alone
Maybe we'll get forty years together
But one day I'll be gone or one day you'll be gone
If we were vampires and death was a joke
We'd go out on the sidewalk and smoke
And laugh at all the lovers and their plans
I wouldn't feel the need to hold your hand
Maybe time running out is a gift
I'll work hard 'til the end of my shift
And give you every second I can find
And hope it isn't me who's left behind
It's knowing that this can't go on forever
Likely one of us will have to spend some days alone
Maybe we'll get forty years together
But one day I'll be gone or one day you'll be gone
It's knowing that this can't go on forever
Likely one of us will have to spend some days alone
Maybe we'll get forty years together
But one day I'll be gone or one day you'll be gone
Jason Isbell
Michael Jason Isbell (; born February 1, 1979) is an American singer-songwriter and actor. He is known for his solo career, his work with the band The 400 Unit, and as a member of Drive-By Truckers for six years, from 2001 to 2007. Isbell has won six Grammy Awards.
Outside of music, Isbell has appeared in roles in the television series Squidbillies and Billions, as well as the films Deadwood: The Movie and Killers of the Flower Moon.
His most recent album with his band The 400 Unit, Weathervanes, was released in June 2023.
listen:
The Main Mix
We had just 50 years together.
We knew the end was coming. and this song mattered.
We couldn't choose it for her funeral though 'cos, she said, "It's *too* sad. Too many people of our age will be there".
She chose, amongst others, 'Who Knows Where The Time Goes' (Fairport) and 'With a Little Help From My Friends' (Joe Cocker)
Part of the dedication (which she wrote!) included, "After so many years together, I'm sorry to be the one to go first." She knew exactly why. She didn't want to leave me behind alone. Same for me. It's called love.
It's been a year.
I still love her, but she's gone.
She wanted me to be happy, and so I've moved on and I am happy.
In part, I'm happy 'cos I was with her and I loved her. The other part is my new love.
It only means, I'll have an empty beach chair next to me for a bit, watching a distant sea, feeling it wash upon my feet, until she catches up, sits next to me, again, like she has done so many times before. In this life and the last.
Likely one of us will have to spend some days alone
Maybe we'll get forty years together
But one day I'll be gone or one day you'll be gone"
Unfortunately, now that I am "older" this reality is more real and more sad than I ever thought it would be. Sad, real truth. Life can be hard and sad. Those words hit hard today.
Thanks for making me laugh after crying through this song!
They are. Absolutely.
1. This song is not actually about vampires.
2. Alt-country pulls a different crowd than that Nashville corporate country bullshit.
3. Still, you paint a funny picture.
oh, please. Speaking from my experience, it's not sad songs that push a depressed person toward suicidal ideation. It's the happy songs to which the depressed person can't relate that does that trick.
Read the lyrics again. I missed the genius of this line the first few times I listened to the song.
If you were a vampire, you wouldn't have to worry about this.
My wife died a year ago.
We had just 50 years together.
We knew the end was coming. and this song mattered.
We couldn't choose it for her funeral though 'cos, she said, "It's *too* sad. Too many people of our age will be there".
She chose, amongst others, 'Who Knows Where The Time Goes' (Fairport) and 'With a Little Help From My Friends' (Joe Cocker)
Part of the dedication (which she wrote!) included, "After so many years together, I'm sorry to be the one to go first." She knew exactly why. She didn't want to leave me behind alone. Same for me. It's called love.
It's been a year.
I still love her, but she's gone.
She wanted me to be happy, and so I've moved on and I am happy.
In part, I'm happy 'cos I was with her and I loved her. The other part is my new love.
This is so moving and I feel so blessed you shared it. I'm glad you're happy.
Beautiful x
In fact sad songs show empathy. Anyone considering suicide needs that in spades.
I would also submit that this is not really a sad song.
It is a song of hope and love and devotion, a reminder to treat important people as important.
Or so it seems to me.
YMMV.
Our life is comfortable, we have more than enough money, we live in a gorgeous environment (hint: SW Western Australia)
We are atheists ... there is no pie in the sky
This is real for us.
We live each day, cherishing the delight in our friendship.
Lots of laughing but in the background the understanding of mortality. Each day is precious.
I put it this way ... if there is a heaven I will be waiting for you at the gate.
As Michael Jackson said "this is it"
My wife died a year ago.
We had just 50 years together.
We knew the end was coming. and this song mattered.
We couldn't choose it for her funeral though 'cos, she said, "It's *too* sad. Too many people of our age will be there".
She chose, amongst others, 'Who Knows Where The Time Goes' (Fairport) and 'With a Little Help From My Friends' (Joe Cocker)
Part of the dedication (which she wrote!) included, "After so many years together, I'm sorry to be the one to go first." She knew exactly why. She didn't want to leave me behind alone. Same for me. It's called love.
It's been a year.
I still love her, but she's gone.
She wanted me to be happy, and so I've moved on and I am happy.
In part, I'm happy 'cos I was with her and I loved her. The other part is my new love.
Sorry for your loss.
I believe the greatest act of love is to outlive your partner - but few of us have a choice in this.
I hope we can go together.
oh, please. Speaking from my experience, it's not sad songs that push a depressed person toward suicidal ideation. It's the happy songs to which the depressed person can't relate that does that trick.
In fact sad songs show empathy. Anyone considering suicide needs that in spades.
My wife died a year ago.
We had just 50 years together.
We knew the end was coming. and this song mattered.
We couldn't choose it for her funeral though 'cos, she said, "It's *too* sad. Too many people of our age will be there".
She chose, amongst others, 'Who Knows Where The Time Goes' (Fairport) and 'With a Little Help From My Friends' (Joe Cocker)
Part of the dedication (which she wrote!) included, "After so many years together, I'm sorry to be the one to go first." She knew exactly why. She didn't want to leave me behind alone. Same for me. It's called love.
It's been a year.
I still love her, but she's gone.
She wanted me to be happy, and so I've moved on and I am happy.
In part, I'm happy 'cos I was with her and I loved her. The other part is my new love.
Beautiful story.
Literally brought tears to my eyes.