Valentine
Mt. Desolation Lyrics

The lyrics to Mt. Desolation's song "Valentine" depict a complex and melancholic expression of love and longing.

The opening lines, "Two lovers disturb the dust, Black water embraces us, Dried flowers and turpentine, Valentine," present a sense of desolation and decay. The image of two lovers disturbing the dust suggests a past relationship that has come to an end and now lies dormant. The mention of black water and dried flowers implies a sense of emotional darkness and a fading connection. The use of turpentine, a strong-smelling chemical, adds to the disillusionment and suggests an attempt to erase or mask the pain. "Valentine" here serves as a symbol of the love once shared.

The following lines, "Your beauty uprooted me, Crude hopeless desire in me, Thoughts churning in a sea of wine, Valentine," reveal the intense impact that the person addressed as "Valentine" had on the singer. The beauty of Valentine caused the singer to feel uprooted and overwhelmed with a crude and hopeless desire. The mention of thoughts churning in a sea of wine suggests a tumultuous state of mind, possibly fueled by alcohol, further emphasizing the emotional turmoil experienced.

The repetition of the chorus, "Valentine, Oh my valentine, Say goodbye, Oh my valentine," reinforces the theme of separation and bidding farewell. It highlights the bittersweet nature of love and the pain associated with letting go.

The third verse, "Pale as the sky, Over your face a veil of dew, Sinking like coins, All of the dreams I made for you, Cover the rise, Sleep like a child, Valentine," portrays a vivid image of loss and a fading hope. The reference to pale sky and a veil of dew creates a sense of delicacy and fragility. The sinking dreams and covering of the rise emphasize a sense of disappointment and unrealized expectations. The mention of sleeping like a child evokes a sense of innocence lost and a longing for simpler times.

The final lines, "Lay a wild flower by the riverside, And say goodbye, Oh my valentine," illustrate a final gesture of farewell. The act of laying a wild flower by the riverside symbolizes leaving behind a token of remembrance while acknowledging the need to say goodbye. It portrays a wistful desire to hold on to the memories and a recognition that the relationship has reached its end.

Overall, "Valentine" delves into the complexities of love, capturing both the beauty and pain that come with it. The lyrics explore themes of longing, separation, and the yearning for something that can no longer be.