The Light

"It's the light that's changing
It's the light that's changing
It's the light that's changing
It's only the light
What can I do to defy you
What can I do to deny you
'cause I want no part of this breaking
This is a hurtful mistake you are making
And to me this love was true and shining
Oh, these years were real and defining
Please, please don't forget how much I meant to you
When, when you are redefined by someone new"
--Mason Jennings, from "The Light (Part II)"

I first learned of Mason Jennings when I heard "Fighter Girl" on XPN, and it was one of those songs that I had to write down some lyrics so I could find it when I got home. I've since acquired (through emusic, legally!) many more of his songs, and I am always struck by his beautifully apt word choice. This song in particular is so gentle and rolling if you listen to it--certainly because of the music, but I think also the rhymes help to create that feeling. And what I really love is that they don't feel forced or manipulated at all. It's as though rather than pushing the words together as many do, he picked carefully through a whole mass of words and assembled the ones that belonged together.