AFTERTONES 
Janis Ian


SOMETIMES IT'S ALL TOO MUCH TO SAY ALOUD
THE SOUND'S A SHROUD
THE MEANINGS CROWD
SOMETIMES THE WORDS ARE PAINFUL TO THE EAR
THEY DISAPPEAR AND NOTHING'S CLEAR

'TIL ALL THAT'S LEFT TO SEE ARE AFTERTONES
I TAKE THEM HOME
WE LIVE ALONE
BUT I REMEMBER CHAINS OF MELODY
IT PLEASES ME - THIS SONG'S FOR FREE

WITHIN THE MEMORIES OF OUR LIFE GONE BY
AFRAID TO DIE, WE LEARN TO LIE
AND MEASURE OUT THE TIME IN COFFEE SPOONS
IN FADING SUNS AND DYING MOONS

'TIL ALL THAT'S LEFT TO SEE ARE AFTERTONES
I TAKE THEM HOME
WE LIVE ALONE
BUT I REMEMBER CHAINS OF MELODY
IT PLEASES ME - THIS SONG'S FOR FREE

AND OOH, I LIKE THE SOUND
OF HARMONY FROM TIME TO TIME
I REALLY DO BELIEVE
IN SOME KIND OF TOMORROW
WHEN IT SPEAKS TO ME