Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh

Don McLean wrote the poem/song, “Vincent” (“Starry, Starry, Night”) in 1971 after reading a book about the life of artist Vincent Van Gogh.

In the 1970s, the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam played the song daily and a copy of the sheet music, together with a set of Van Gogh’s paint brushes, is buried in a time capsule beneath the museum.

If you have time, please also play the video while you read the poem. You will hear the song, and also go on a mini Art Sunday Van Gogh exhibit, which is very relaxing.

Presenting a tribute to Vincent Van Gogh. Enjoy…

Starry Starry Night
by Don McClean

Starry, starry night.
Paint your palette blue and grey,
Look out on a summer’s day,
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul.
Shadows on the hills,
Sketch the trees and the daffodils,
Catch the breeze and the winter chills,
In colors on the snowy linen land.

Now I understand what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they did not know how.
Perhaps they’ll listen now.

Starry, starry night.
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze,
Swirling clouds in violet haze,
Reflect in Vincent’s eyes of China blue.
Colors changing hue, morning field of amber grain,
Weathered faces lined in pain,
Are soothed beneath the artist’s loving hand.

Now I understand what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they did not know how.
Perhaps they’ll listen now.

For they could not love you,
But still your love was true.
And when no hope was left in sight
On that starry, starry night,
You took your life, as lovers often do.
But I could have told you, Vincent,
This world was never meant for one
As beautiful as you.

Starry, starry night.
Portraits hung in empty halls,
Frameless head on nameless walls,
With eyes that watch the world and can’t forget.
Like the strangers that you’ve met,
The ragged men in the ragged clothes,
The silver thorn of bloody rose,
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow.

Now I think I know what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
How you tried to set them free.
They would not listen, they’re not listening still.
Perhaps they never will.

[mp3j track=”vincent.mp3″]

Click here to return to our hostess with the mostess Sans Souciand continue on your poetry journey…

deletereply sanssouciblogs wrote on Dec 4, ’07 I saw this in Amsterdam, gorgeous! He was such a tortured soul but look what he produced. Such amazing work.  Excellent video.  This whole blog was a treat, sis!

deletereply mntsinger wrote on Dec 4, ’07 I love his paintings; and this song 🙂 Thank you I will have to wait until I get home to watch the video

deletereply ellegance2007 wrote on Dec 4, ’07 I love his paintings, The song gr8t, This presentation is just fantastic Loved it !

deletereply kwika wrote on Dec 4, ’07 Always was one of my all time favourites.

deletereply redheadgirl4 wrote on Dec 4, ’07 Oh I loved this! You combined so many things that I love. The video is beautiful. Van Gogh is my favourite artist. I have always found it so tragic that he didn’t seem to understand how brilliant he was. And I have always absolutely loved this song. Brilliantly combined in that video. Thank you for this — such a treat!

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Dec 5, ’07 I never knew this song was about Vincent Van Gogh.

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Dec 6, ’07, edited on Dec 6, ’07 His paintings were so colorful, but he was apparently very troubled.

deletereply philsgal7759 wrote on Dec 6, ’07 We all hold secret joys and sorrows but they go unnoticed by a world that is often too busy or self absorbed to understand. Van Gogh paints his inner pain for the world to see and yet in life he and his art go unnoticed. He bids us not to ignore those inner cries Will we listen? Beautiful choice Thanks

deletereply zafreud wrote on Dec 6, ’07 The well-known painting interpreted in words so effectively…along with the painter’s struggle to capture HIS impression, HIS view of the starry night landscape!..A struggle that ended up to powerful strokes, “outrageous” (as the critics first called them) colours, and an overall impression of a windy restlless atmosphere… Thank you for the painting presentation, the song and the slideshow, Laurita!!!

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Dec 6, ’07 Thank you for all your wonderful comments ! I’m sure if Van Gogh lived, he would have loved to know all of you.

deletereply laura1may wrote on Dec 8, ’07 I visited the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam many years ago. It was a fascinating and beautiful place. To see so many masterpieces gathered together in one place was a wonderful experience. I must confess to not liking the song at all.

deletereply anbra6 wrote on Dec 8, ’07 That is a beautiful video. There is a better version but unfortunately it hasn’t been uploaded in YouTube. I find the paintings more appropriate. It’s sad and beautiful in the same time.

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Oct 27, ’08 Here I am: http://lauritasita.multiply.com/journal/item/981/Poetry_Wednesday_102908_Three_autumn_poems_by_Robert_Frost

deletereply johnthad wrote on Oct 27, ’08 I’ve always loved this song. Thank you.

deletereply starfishred wrote on Oct 27, ’08, edited on Oct 27, ’08 Good morning my friend http://starfishred.multiply.com/journal/item/761/POETRY_WEDNESDAY-CARL_SANDBERG I may do two I just found out my brother died 2 weeks ago in Baltimore so I may just fo a tibute to

deletereply skeezicks1957 wrote on Oct 27, ’08, edited on Oct 27, ’08 I am still reading last weeks as I was away for a long weekend holiday but here is my this weeks post as I catch up! http://skeezicks1957.multiply.com/journal/item/577

deletereply skeezicks1957 wrote on Oct 27, ’08 starfishred said just found out my brother died 2 weeks ago I am sorry for your loss.

deletereply starfishred wrote on Oct 27, ’08 HERE IS MY SECOND ONE http://starfishred.multiply.com/journal/item/762/AUD_TO_MY_BROTHER_GEORGE-POETRY_WEDNESDAY

deletereply sanssouciblogs wrote on Oct 27, ’08 Good job, sis! Thanks so much for hosting, we all appreciate it. A poem on fall and leaves…illustrates the steps of self-editing. http://sanssouciblogs.multiply.com/journal/item/166/88._Poetry_Fall

deletereply billatplay wrote on Oct 27, ’08 Cut a slice or have a dance http://billatplay.multiply.com/journal/item/74/Wakey_wakey?replies_read=12

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Oct 27, ’08 starfishred said I may do two I just found out my brother died 2 weeks ago in Baltimore so I may just fo a tibute to Heidi, My deepest sympathy is with you. Do as many as you like.

deletereply jadedruid wrote on Oct 27, ’08 I decided to write something for Halloween this week. http://jadedruid.multiply.com/journal/item/335/Halloween_Night

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Oct 27, ’08 Everyone: please be sure to visit Heidi (starfishred) if you haven’t done so already. Her brother passed away recently and she could use some comforting…She has two links this week so far. See above. Thank you. Laurita.

deletereply gileson wrote on Oct 27, ’08, edited on Oct 28, ’08 Halloween week here in Hew Hess Hay so here is some stuff you probably don’t see much of. http://gileson.multiply.com/journal/item/270 http://gileson.multiply.com/journal/item/269 http://gileson.multiply.com/journal/item/268 http://gileson.multiply.com/journal/item/267 http://gileson.multiply.com/journal/item/266

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Oct 28, ’08 Please remember to set your poetry post to “everyone” so we can all see it. Thank you. Love, Laurita.

deletereply bostonsdandd wrote on Oct 28, ’08 I was working on my post when the music kicked it. About scared me to death I was concentrating so hard LOL. I’m up and ready though ;o). http://bostonsdandd.multiply.com/journal/item/219/Poetry_WednesdayOctober_29thThe_Conception_of_a_WomanBy_Me

deletereply sassyangelac wrote on Oct 28, ’08 http://sassyangelac.multiply.com/journal/item/330/Poetry_Wednesday–Muted_Tantrum

deletereply sanssouciblogs wrote on Oct 28, ’08 starfishred said Good morning my friend http://starfishred.multiply.com/journal/item/761/POETRY_WEDNESDAY-CARL_SANDBERG I may do two I just found out my brother died 2 weeks ago in Baltimore so I may just fo a tibute to That’s terrible, Heidi, so sorry!

deletereply johnthad wrote on Oct 28, ’08 Thus do I ever make my fool my purse: http://johnthad.multiply.com/journal/item/181/

deletereply sweetpotatoqueen wrote on Oct 28, ’08 Hi everyone! Please join me for some poetic storytelling! http://sweetpotatoqueen.multiply.com/journal/item/197/Poetry_Wednesday_Story_of_A_King Laurita: Love this beautiful song and my mind has been splashed with the paint of art here!Thank you!

deletereply jayaramanms wrote on Oct 29, ’08 This week mine is again a poem by Rabindranath Tagore titled – “Unending Love” is available at – http://jayaramanms.multiply.com/journal/item/272/272. Request all to see. Thank you.

deletereply elizelizeliz wrote on Oct 29, ’08 Helo ladi mit baeutifull namen. http://elizelizeliz.multiply.com/journal/item/79/Poatr_Weneds_APOKALYPS

deletereply sylvie1 wrote on Oct 29, ’08 http://sylvie1.multiply.com/journal/item/664/POETRY_WEDNESDAY_…_SWEET_SPIRIT_

deletereply gileson wrote on Oct 29, ’08, edited on Oct 29, ’08 The Day of Judgement After All Hallowed Evening comes the Day Of Judgement

deletereply forgetmenot525 wrote on Oct 29, ’08 Hi ………….there I was so engrossed in doing Halloween stuff I almost forgot to sign in, so here it is, be back later to take the tour http://forgetmenot525.multiply.com/journal/item/192/Tam_O_Shanter_poetry_by_Rabbie_Burns

deletereply forgetmenot525 wrote on Oct 29, ’08 Opps…………..forgot, an album of full size original; illustrations to go with it http://forgetmenot525.multiply.com/photos/album/197/Tam_O_Shanter_illustrations

deletereply sugarpiehuny wrote on Oct 29, ’08, edited on Oct 29, ’08 http://sugarpiehuny.multiply.com/recipes/item/7/All_Hallows_Eve…

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Oct 29, ’08 Thank you for your invite, Sugarpiehuny !

deletereply zafreud wrote on Oct 29, ’08 Not one from me this time, but I’ll take the tour and try to read as much as I can! See you, my friends! 🙂 Laurita, the lounge is once more a beauty!!!

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Oct 29, ’08 Thank you, Zafreud. I hope you enjoy the tour !

deletereply fluffyj wrote on Oct 29, ’08 Okay, made it on tonight for Poetry Wednesday! Yeeha! Something online at last! So here is my link: http://fluffyj.multiply.com/journal/item/317/Poetry_Wednesday–Whispers_of_October And I noticed I’ve been tagged also! So I’m going to try and get it done to post tomorrow before or between classes. I love Starry Starry Night…… -janeen (And thanks so much for the birthday wishes and song, loved it!)

deletereply billatplay wrote on Oct 30, ’08, edited on Oct 30, ’08 A poem (cheat) of FEAR http://billatplay.multiply.com/journal/item/78/Be_afraid_very_afraid?replies_read=5 Lucifer’s second cousin is named Lucinda in the story. lol

deletereply forgetmenot525 wrote on Oct 30, ’08 Thank you every one for the wonderful collection of ghosts, pumpkins and things that go ‘BOO’ in the night. I have enjoyed each and every one. BUT………….my tour was a little spoiled by strange happenings on Multiply, not sure if any one else is experiencing this but pages take minutes to load…………..sometimes they don’t load at all, comments disappear as I send them, every thing ‘ whites out’ as i try to get back here, I have had to reload this page so many times it has taken me forever. I promise I have visited AND commented to each and every one but I think some of the comments have been swallowed whole by Multiply never to be seen again. So now I’m off to user support and the staff help team…………….oh dear I do hope this gets better its beginning to feel like my worse nightmare…………..yep………….thats the one………….360 AHGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

deletereply billatplay wrote on Oct 30, ’08 Me too forgetmenot. So I went back to 360 guess what? Better in parts worse in others. Just like everything else in life really. OK when new then falls off when they have their fill.

deletereply sylvie1 wrote on Oct 30, ’08 I should knock on wood,because I haven’t experienced any problems here on multiply so far …

deletereply dianahopeless wrote on Oct 30, ’08 I’m running a little late. I will get to everyone tonight or tomorrow night. Here is one I picked to share. It sort of reflects my present mood. lol http://dianahopeless.multiply.com/journal/item/423/Poetry_Wednesday_Broken_Mirror_

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Oct 30, ’08 Everyone listen ! Take your time to tour – the post will always be on !

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Oct 31, ’08, edited on Oct 31, ’08 You may continue touring, but hold any new poetry for next Monday. I will put out a new sign in page next week ! Thank you to all who participated this week ! Love, Laurita.

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