Justin Vernon
The Lake
[Verse 1]
Every once in the months my life sets fire to my feelings
I'm on the path near the lake and it's stopping my breathing
But it's still not a surprise
It's in my chest, it's in my ribs, it's not my heart, it's my grieving
But it's not sad, it's more of a longing that comes for the season
That I'm in
And I always wonder
Just where it's been

[Verse 2]
And when I die I hope my soul doesn't go on and fly
I hope it just stays right here looking up into the sky
'Cause I know where I'm gonna die
Then for a beautiful hour in the morning and once in the evening
I'll see the kids in the water, full of being
And then I will smile
And the winter months
Will only last for a while

[Verse 3]
Looking up at the grey, but I wouldn't ever have to worry 'bout freezing
I could just sit and ponder, never have to think about reason
I'd be just someone's memory
But how different is it when you're just walking down the street?
You're always in a place that you're not, you're inside of your loved ones
I'm just someone's friend
I still wake up every day
And don't see an end
[Verse 4]
The stillness kills me with a filledness that brings us to staring
Out far beyond the shore the fire's brewing and glaring
On the mirror on the lake
And in the hold there's black, there's red, and orange and withered blue
Never mind the breeze, never mind the miracles, I got me and I got you
I know that this is my fate
And if I was God, this isn't even something that I could create
And if I was God, this isn't even something that I could create
And if I was God, this isn't even something that I could create

[Verse 5]
And when I die I hope my soul doesn't go on and fly
I hope it just stays right here looking up into the sky
'Cause I know where I'm gonna die
A when the Lord comes down to take me back to the sky
When the Lord comes down to bring us back to the sky
When that Lord comes down, I'll look Him straight in the eye
I'll look Him straight in the eye