Till The Sun Turns Black

I think it's just saying in the end, we're all the same. No one is better than anyone else. The young and pretty, the old and lonely (and homeless), the rich corporate worker that worships materialistic things, the average middle class person all the way up to the wise man. We're all exactly the same because we start from the same place and end up at the same place. We all die. When he says "till the sun turns black" he's simply using a metaphor for death. No one is better than anyone else. It's a truth that complicated and hard to understand, but it's a truth Ray has discoverd. Let me just say this is one of my favorite songs. I love it when he's singing the "ohs." It just sounds so raw and honest. Thank God for good music =]

This song reminds me of 'The Little Prince', when he's visiting all the planets. It's brilliant.

Wow I'm surprised only 2 people have commented on this song. It's my second favorite on the album next to Empty. I've listened to it so many times and I could be wrong but the song touches me so I'll try articulating my thoughts as best as I can.

He's describing people everywhere, asking us to see them and understand them. Using the 3rd person omniscent he can tell us about all people with a kind of distance.

There are the young and blissfully ignorant, the old and lonely going through the motions of life, the corporate man who's alone and waiting for the happiness he wishes would come, the working class hoping for time to pass quickly and therefore they are not really living in the present, and then finally the wise man "living loving quietly, every breath he takes eternity" (probably one of my favorite Ray Lamontagne lyrics.)

The message is dark but not morose. All of these people are going through life with so much pain and loneliness. The young are mentioned first because they begin with carefree "laugh[ter]" but I think they are mentioned first to show that they will grow to take on the inevitable pain of adulthood.

All of this is happening "til the sun turns black." Meaning every generation feels this sadness and loneliness and always will until the end of time. By talking about the sun turning black I think he's saying that there will be an end to civilization but more importantly there will be an end to everyone's life and all we can hope to do is live like the wise man, who just loves "quietly" (without drawing attention to themselves for selfish unimportant reasons.) Taking each breath and cherishing each breath. I don't think 2 lines in a song have ever moved me so much.

I'd also just like to add that the images he uses are perfect. So succinct and evokative. the "pushing grocery carts" "watching TV in the dark" and "trudging through their days." And the last thing I'd like to say is that when he sings the "oh" part there's so much passion, it's so moving. I really love Ray Lamontagne's music. It makes me feel raw which I love

I agree with the three of you. I love this song, as I do all his songs.

I think that the lyrics of this song are amazing and Ray LaMontagne's voice is beautiful. I agree with allie the great about the message of the song. I feel that he is saying, in the end we are all equal and no-one is worth less than anybody else..... a great song!