First, we'll discuss the music.
Before the lyrics kick in, a down-tempo introduction is given, with some beautiful phrasing from the Robert Fripp on the guitar. The timbre is warm, and soft, thought not joyous. It is a sorrowful warmth, that of gentle tears, shed alone, it is a softness of vulnerability. The guitar melody, as legato as is possible, returns, hypnotic, to mesmerise and depress. A carefree sax plays neat phrases, bringing to mind the feeling you get when you know another person is happy, and you sit miserable, a sentiment mirrored by the opening lyrics.
The next movement features, slowly a slowly building bass pattern beneath a repetitive guitar rhythm, with percussion contributing first to atmosphere, then momentum. The crunchy timbre of the bass, and the timing is reminiscent of a grouch walking a cold street, the guitar above him is the worth bearing down upon his shoulders. The guitar grows more savage, and the notes played change,though the repetition remains. At this time, the drums pick up. The world seems to be too much for this grouch.
The drums stop, relatively tame compound bends lock in with the bass before- freedom! A freedom that is the violent casting away of pretension, of the dark overcoat of the world. The guitar joins the rhythm section as the sax returns to play quarter mad lines. Then, the motif, rearranged. Not for long! The guitar takes the place of the sax, the drums are well and truly pounding, madness is almost near! The motif, again, signals an end to the madness. The bass broods over it as it shifts about, the temper of the bass clearly present over the motif. Then, a final measure, and resolution.
Now, the lyrics.
"Sundown, dazzling day. Gold through my eyes. But my eyes turned within only see starless and bible black." Our man, the song's character, if you will, can be interpreted as disconnected from the world. He knows the beauties it offers, yet sees only how ugly it can be. "Ice blue silver sky fades into grey, to a grey hope that omens to be starless and bible black." This is a clear indication of pessimism, that the world will most likely turn sour. "Old friend charity. Cruel, twisted smile. And that smile signals emptiness to me. Starless and... bible back." This last line can be interpreted as paranoia, specifically that those looking to help our man have ulterior motives. At the least, the line definitely implies our man is not moved by any assistance. The lyrics set up our character, and the music writes the events. A beautifully crafted piece, a character study of a gloomy man, sick of his world, and encrusted with pessimism.
