When The Night Is Long

Shelby Lynn Merry's song "When The Night Is Long" delves into the profound and often unsettling emotions that surface during the quiet, solitary hours of the night. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of introspection and vulnerability, where the night becomes a canvas for unresolved feelings and haunting memories. The opening lines, "If only I could fix the sky to meet me / If only I could fix my heart to meet at dawn," suggest a longing for alignment and peace, both externally and internally. This desire for harmony is thwarted by the night, which seems to have an uncanny ability to amplify pain and sorrow.

The imagery of "backwoods lullabies" and "roots spread all the way back to godless times" evokes a sense of deep, ancestral connections and the weight of history. These lines suggest that the past, with all its unresolved issues, continues to haunt the present. The night, in this context, becomes a time when these ghosts of the past come alive, making it difficult to find peace. The recurring phrase, "Oh, it's when the night is long," underscores the idea that these feelings are inescapable and ever-present during the long, dark hours.

The song also introduces a mysterious figure, "a young one sitting at the top of the world / Counting down a clock that nobody sees." This figure could symbolize the inevitability of time and fate, constantly reminding the narrator of their own mortality and the passage of time. The mention of "earthquakes" and "ripped realities of broken minds" further adds to the sense of chaos and disruption, suggesting that the night brings with it not just emotional turmoil but also a sense of existential dread. The repeated humming of "Oh, it won't be long" serves as a haunting refrain, reminding the listener that these feelings, while intense, are also transient.

Overall, "When The Night Is Long" is a poignant exploration of the human condition, capturing the loneliness, fear, and introspection that often accompany the night. Shelby Lynn Merry's evocative lyrics and haunting melodies create a powerful emotional landscape that resonates deeply with listeners.