Lucinda Williams follows up the rather sweet ‘Place in My Heart’ with ‘Death Came,’ a decidedly less optimistic tune. While the former song was about always being there for a loved one in need, this one is about dealing with a painful loss.
The music on this track is appropriately haunting. The first five tracks of The Ghosts of Highway 20 are all just beautiful musically. These aren’t the catchiest tunes Williams has ever written — she hasn’t been interested in penning the next ‘Passionate Kisses’ for awhile now — but they are among the prettiest.
Given that this is a double album (with two songs left on disc one), I wonder if the tone and tempo will change when I get to disc two.
In the river of truth
The river tried to pull me under
And refused to turn me loose
I was called to read from the bible of life
And I read from beginning to end
Every page and every line
Still I could not comprehend
[Chorus:]
Death came, death came
And gave you his kiss
Death came, death came
And took you away from this
Oh, I miss you so
And I long to know
Why death gave you his kiss
I tasted the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge
And I ate from dawn til dark
I was sated but not satisfied
Until I carved my name in the bark
I was called to drink and was seduced
By the sweetest, brightest berry
I quenched my thirst with the red juice
Still I found no sanctuary
[Chorus x2]
I miss you so
And I long to know
Why death gave you his kiss
Meet Me In Montauk 
I’m praying for a tone and tempo change. Somehow I suspect my prayers will go unanswered.
you are too funny Dana, but you are a faithful fan 🙂
Just listened to the week’s worth of Lucinda, and while I think she has a good voice, I’m not inspired by what I’ve heard so far. Sounds like she has marbles in her mouth when she sings, and it’s a bit draggy for my taste. Sorry