Janis Ian
Aftertones
[Verse 1]
Sometimes it’s all too much to say aloud
The sound’s a shroud
The meaning's crowd
Sometimes the words are painful to the ear
They disappear
And nothing’s clear

[Verse 2]
‘Til all that’s left to me are aftertones
I take them home
We live alone
But I remember chains of melody
It pleases me ---
This song’s for free

[Verse 3]
Within the memories of our life gone by
Afraid to die
We learn to lie
And measure out the time in coffee spoons
In fading suns
And dying moons

[Verse 4]
‘Til all that’s left to see are aftertones
And no one knows
Where meaning goes
But I remember chains of melody
It pleases me ---
This song’s for free
[Outro]
And do I like the sound
Of harmony from time to time?
I really do believe
In some kind of tomorrow
When it speaks to me