I like the sound of this title (No. 4 from 1975 "Diamonds and Rust"). But I can't say I understand much of it. "blues and the greens"? "swallow the light"? And, "Jesse" who?
Jesse is a man who has left the narrator (or maybe died). She has not gotten over him and feels that he has left a hollow place in her life, as expressed in the first two verses. She says she's leaving the light on the stairs, not because she's scared living alone, but to invite him back.
Jesse is a man who has left the narrator (or maybe died). She has not gotten over him and feels that he has left a hollow place in her life, as expressed in the first two verses. She says she's leaving the light on the stairs, not because she's scared living alone, but to invite him back.
In the third verse, she describes how she has kept everything intact for his return. The "blues and the greens" are the colors of the linens and so on, which are clean and ready for him to come back. She imagines...
In the third verse, she describes how she has kept everything intact for his return. The "blues and the greens" are the colors of the linens and so on, which are clean and ready for him to come back. She imagines that when he comes back they'll "swallow the light on the stairs", meaning that she won't be waiting for him any more, instead they'll have that light and joy inside of them.
Another possibility is that Jesse hasn't actually left her, but is just away for a long period, maybe traveling on business or in the army. Anyway, it's clear she misses him and wants him to come home.
Another possibility is that Jesse hasn't actually left her, but is just away for a long period, maybe traveling on business or in the army. Anyway, it's clear she misses him and wants him to come home.
I like the sound of this title (No. 4 from 1975 "Diamonds and Rust"). But I can't say I understand much of it. "blues and the greens"? "swallow the light"? And, "Jesse" who?
Jesse is a man who has left the narrator (or maybe died). She has not gotten over him and feels that he has left a hollow place in her life, as expressed in the first two verses. She says she's leaving the light on the stairs, not because she's scared living alone, but to invite him back.
Jesse is a man who has left the narrator (or maybe died). She has not gotten over him and feels that he has left a hollow place in her life, as expressed in the first two verses. She says she's leaving the light on the stairs, not because she's scared living alone, but to invite him back.
In the third verse, she describes how she has kept everything intact for his return. The "blues and the greens" are the colors of the linens and so on, which are clean and ready for him to come back. She imagines...
In the third verse, she describes how she has kept everything intact for his return. The "blues and the greens" are the colors of the linens and so on, which are clean and ready for him to come back. She imagines that when he comes back they'll "swallow the light on the stairs", meaning that she won't be waiting for him any more, instead they'll have that light and joy inside of them.
Another possibility is that Jesse hasn't actually left her, but is just away for a long period, maybe traveling on business or in the army. Anyway, it's clear she misses him and wants him to come home.
Another possibility is that Jesse hasn't actually left her, but is just away for a long period, maybe traveling on business or in the army. Anyway, it's clear she misses him and wants him to come home.