I think this is one of the best songs Sting has ever written, the music is totally gripping and the lyrics are as beautiful as honest. I find it a very inspiring song. It really gets you into the mood of reflecting, whether you are lucky and have a fireplace at your home or not.
Some thoughts on the song:
The "ghost who won't die" is easy to identify: his father. Still, Sting has mentioned several times that he believes in ghosts and that we need them in our life, for guidance and reflection. So maybe he's also talking about "good ghosts" in general.
"There's a chapter on love where the ink's never dry" - very beautiful line and also one of my favourite paragraphs in "Broken Music": when he shares his thoughts about this big thing we call "Love".
That the ink is never dry could mean that love is everlasting and always in motion. It could also refer to the stormy, passionate sexual love that young lovers feel and the impatience that comes with it. Another topic he deals with very honestly in "Broken Music".
As for the "you" in the last stanza, I agree with vittau's interpretation: It is himself - the man he has become because of all the good and bad "chapters" in his life and is now.
Of course, "all that's left is you" could easily be interpreted as a declaration of love to a woman, but I don't think it makes sense here as the whole song is about Sting and his life, not in any way is it a love song. Plus - and I mean that in the most positive way - the person that Sting has always been most faithful to throughout his life is himself!
I think what he wants to say is: In the end there is only one thing that is important: Who you are and how you've lived your life and that, when reflecting on it, you can say "It was good.", no matter what other people might think.
I think this is one of the best songs Sting has ever written, the music is totally gripping and the lyrics are as beautiful as honest. I find it a very inspiring song. It really gets you into the mood of reflecting, whether you are lucky and have a fireplace at your home or not.
Some thoughts on the song:
The "ghost who won't die" is easy to identify: his father. Still, Sting has mentioned several times that he believes in ghosts and that we need them in our life, for guidance and reflection. So maybe he's also talking about "good ghosts" in general.
"There's a chapter on love where the ink's never dry" - very beautiful line and also one of my favourite paragraphs in "Broken Music": when he shares his thoughts about this big thing we call "Love". That the ink is never dry could mean that love is everlasting and always in motion. It could also refer to the stormy, passionate sexual love that young lovers feel and the impatience that comes with it. Another topic he deals with very honestly in "Broken Music".
As for the "you" in the last stanza, I agree with vittau's interpretation: It is himself - the man he has become because of all the good and bad "chapters" in his life and is now. Of course, "all that's left is you" could easily be interpreted as a declaration of love to a woman, but I don't think it makes sense here as the whole song is about Sting and his life, not in any way is it a love song. Plus - and I mean that in the most positive way - the person that Sting has always been most faithful to throughout his life is himself! I think what he wants to say is: In the end there is only one thing that is important: Who you are and how you've lived your life and that, when reflecting on it, you can say "It was good.", no matter what other people might think.