Shadowfall

Lyrics: Robert Hunter
Music: Jim Lauderdale

Seems a long, long time ago this morning
Each ticking of the clock a hammer blow
Descending from the sky without a warning
A lifetime in a day or nearly so

Songbirds were so strangely still this morning
Like during an eclipse as dark as light
All pretense of hope forever scorning
Exploding into shards of endless night

Playing dice with the devil for possession
Rolling bones for possession of my soul
Down inside the depths of sheer depression
My only hope depends on one more roll

Each time I turn around I see my shadow
Falling tall and black across the ground
I see you arching from a broken window
Your lips are moving, I can't hear a sound

Do you speak in love or execration
Or in some other way, I can't decide
I know I won't receive an explanation
Satisfactory to my wounded pride

Should I chance to live until tomorrow
Don't expect to know more than today
Why it is the outline of my shadow
Brushes your horizon as it fades away