Memorial Day - Carly Simon

It should have been so soft, this morning as we left

But the valley was infected, by a different kind of beauty

And the Indians they knew, it was a devil’s sanctuary

Out of this unholy dawn, a car came stirring up the sand

And a woman from a passion play

Held up the limousine that brought me

All this way today.

And I didn’t need to turn around

So strong was the message, and the man who planned her life

Commanded all that followed: Well they bellowed, and they hollered

And they threw each other down, down in this valley

This cruel and lovely valley, Oh it should have been an alley

In some low down part of town

As the lights came up, there was no sun

And brandy splattered all over the ground

As this woman with her head held high

Yelled love and why oh why, you’re killing me oh follow me-

As I watched safe and clean, from the frosted windows of that limousine

Well they bellowed and they hollered, and they threw each other down

Down in this valley, this cruel and lovely valley

Oh it sould have been an alley, in some low down part of town

Before he’d been so funny, imagining the best:

That he’d escaper recrimination, for abandoning the nest

He’d been joking and stoned, while he was entertaining me

But then turned and was stunned, by her panic and her misery

And I was in the get-away car

Giving him a chance, to get away

Get away, get away

And how the valley smoked, as he crossed Route 25

With his cymbals and his shattered crown, leaving all alone

His eyes fixed on the ground.

And he didn’t even turn around

So strong was the message, and he fell into the shallow sky

And was swallowed

Well they bellowed and they hollered, and they threw each other down

Down in this valley, this cruel and lovely valley

Well it should have been an alley, In some low down part of town