Great songs: Nickel Creek - The Lighthouse's Tale

A few years ago I wanted to explore a bit of American folk music style music and I found the great Nickel Creek thanks to a last.fm radio. I love they way they use the traditional instruments and the amazing mandolin playing of Chris Thile. Nickel Creek no longer exists as a band, but I have kept listening to them on my mp3 player. I always loved the feel and melody of the song "The Lighthouse's Tale", but in true style of me, I didn't really listen that closely to the lyrics until I was on the way to work a few months ago. It really hit a chord with me and I almost started crying on the bus. Today has been a day of talk about American singer/songwriter/folk music that tells good tales (since Fleet Foxes is coming to Norway's greatest music festival)and in that light I though I would share this great song with you. It's the story seen from the perspective of a lighthouse, and I like that. The video is quite horrible, so I think I would just listen to it without watching, if I were you.

These are the lyrics:

I am a lighthouse, worn by the weather and the waves.
I keep my lamp lit, to warn the sailors on their way.

I'll tell a story, paint you a picture from my past.
I was so happy, but joy in this life seldom lasts.

I had a keeper, he helped me warn the ships at sea.
We had grown closer, 'till his joy meant everything to me.

And he was to marry, a girl who shone with beauty and light.
And they loved each other, and with me watched the sunsets into night.

And the waves crashing around me, the sand slips out to sea.
And the winds that blow remind me, of what has been, and what can never be.

She'd had to leave us, my keeper he prayed for a safe return.
But when the night came, the weather to a raging storm had turned.

He watched her ship fight, but in vain against the wild and terrible wave.
In me so helpless, as dashed against the rock she met her end.

And the waves crashing around me, the sand slips out to sea.
And the winds that blow remind me, of what has been, and what can never be.

Then on the next day, my keeper found her washed up on the SHORE.
He kissed her cold face, that they'd be together soon he'd swore.

I saw him crying, watched as he buried her in the sand.
And then he climbed my tower, and off of the edge of me he ran.

And the waves crashing around me, the sand slips out to sea.
And the winds that blow remind me, of what has been, and what can never be.

I am a lighthouse, worn by the weather and the waves.
And though I am empty, I still warn the sailors on their way.

And this is the video: