empty chairs (killing me softly)

很喜歡 empty chairs 這首歌，音樂與詞，曾經觸動過許多人內心深處。

當一個熟悉身影從身旁離開，斯人所留物品與記憶，需要折騰多久翻攪幾回，才能淡忘?

有人說：永不。

 

I feel the trembling tingle of a sleepless night

Creep through my fingers and the moon is bright
Beams of blue come flickering through my windowpane
Like Gypsy moths that dance around a candle flame

And I wonder if you know

That I never understood
That although you said you'd go
Until you did, I never thought you would

Moonlight use to bath the contours of your face

Chestnut hair fell all around the pillowcase
And the fragrance of your flowers rest beneath my head
A sympathy bouquet left with a love that's dead

And I wonder if you know

That I never understood
That although you said you'd go
Until you did, I never thought you would

Never thought the words you said were true

Never thought you said just what you meant
Never knew how much I needed you
Never thought you'd leave, until you went

Morning comes and morning goes with no regret

And evening brings the memories I can't forget
Empty rooms that echo as I climb the stairs
And empty clothes that drape and fall on empty chairs

And I wonder if you know

That I never understood
That although you said you'd go
Until you did, I never thought you would
 

1970年代初，Don McLean 在一個俱樂部駐唱時，Lori Lieberman 聽完此曲深為所動，於是散場觀眾離席後，她在餐巾紙上，寫下了另一首經典：

"Killing Me Softly with his Song(blues)"

而當時著名黑人女歌手 Roberta Flack，在芝加哥飛往洛杉磯班機座艙中，聽到了這首歌，於是經過原創者 Lori Lieberman 同意重新翻唱，更確立了此曲成為經典。下面影片中，左上方內嵌的女士即為如今的 Roberta Flack。
 
歲月匆匆40年，人老了，歌也老了，記憶卻不死，仍恍如昨日。
一首好歌，的確可以如此輕柔的、緩慢的，殺死很多人。