Yes, I Have Ghosts (feat. Romany Gilmour)

David Gilmour's song "Yes, I Have Ghosts (feat. Romany Gilmour)" delves into the haunting nature of past relationships and memories that linger long after they have ended. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man tormented by the spectres of his past, not all of whom are deceased. The heat of the sun staying through the night and the spectres of strangers playing games with his sight suggest a restless mind, unable to escape the memories that haunt him. The imagery of passing through a station and seeing his former lover in another's embrace adds a layer of personal betrayal and heartbreak, intensifying the emotional weight of the song.

The recurring line, "Yes, I have ghosts, not all of them dead," serves as a powerful metaphor for the lingering presence of past relationships and unresolved emotions. These ghosts are not just memories but active participants in the protagonist's life, making dust of his dreams and spinning around in his head. The train imagery, with its tracks and zippers, symbolizes the journey of life and the inevitable separations and gaps that occur along the way. The unfastening rails from a past with no map highlight the uncertainty and lack of direction that often accompany the end of significant relationships.

The song also touches on the idea that it is often the living who haunt us the most. The sweet soul that the protagonist once knew is now gone, like a thistle blown on the breeze, leaving him to grapple with the haunting presence of what once was. The haunting is described as both a killer and a friend, suggesting a complex relationship with these memories—both painful and comforting. The dance by the moon and millstones white as the sheet on his bed evoke a sense of melancholy and resignation, as the protagonist comes to terms with the ghosts that will continue to haunt him until the end.