A reader writes:
I have a response to two different but related items at the Dish: the recent post about why we like sad songs, and the moving, thoughtful remarks about suicide prevention from Jennifer Michael Hecht. I want to offer up one of the most poignantly beautiful songs about suicide that I know of, Lucinda Williams’ “Sweet Old World.” Written in response to a friend’s suicide, the song basically catalogues the many things the departed friend is now missing out on. The song manages to express mourning for the loss of the person who chose to leave “this sweet old world” and also becomes a sort of meditation on things for which we should be grateful. It’s a remarkable song. Here’s Lucinda herself performing the song [unembeddable]. And it happens that Emmylou Harris also did a very nice cover [above]. Here are the lyrics:
See what you lost when you left this world, this sweet old world
See what you lost when you left this world, this sweet old world
The breath from your own lips, the touch of fingertips
A sweet and tender kiss
The sound of a midnight train, wearing someone’s ring
Someone calling your name
Somebody so warm cradled in your arms
Didn’t you think you were worth anything
See what you lost when you left this world, this sweet old world
See what you lost when you left this world, this sweet old worldMillions of us in love, promises made good
Your own flesh and blood
Looking for some truth, dancing with no shoes
The beat, the rhythm, the blues
The pounding of your heart’s drum together with another one
Didn’t you think anyone loved you
See what you lost when you left this world, this sweet old world
See what you lost when you left this world, this sweet old worldSending thanks from NYC, a city where one can be surrounded by tens of millions of people and yet still feel quite alone …
The Dish 