If I believe in anything, it’s that light burns brightest in the so-called dark places. I’ve felt this in war zones. I’ve felt it going cell-to-cell as a volunteer on death row, or at the bedside of dying loved ones, or walking alongside friends who have suffered terrible losses.

Maybe that’s why I always felt like “Dark End of the Street” was about loss and light even though I am pretty sure it’s really just a lovers-in-the-shadows song. But seriously, listen to it as a song about loss and longing and trying to hold on to a thing that can’t be held in any physical sense and it is a completely different song (and strangely hopeful). So I want to dedicate this song of loss and light to three women I know who have, in recent years and months, lost precious, precious, infinitely precious people in their lives. This one is for you.

At the dark end of the street
That’s where we always meet
Hiding in shadows where we don’t be long
Living in darkness to hide our wrong
You and me at the dark end of the street
You and me

You know time’s gonna take its toll
We have to pay for the love we stole
It’s a sin and we know it’s wrong
But our love keeps coming on strong
Tonight we’ll meet at the dark end of the street
You and me

They’re gonna find us, oh, they’ll find us
They’re gonna find us
Oooooh, some day
You and me at the dark end of the street
You and me

And when the daylight hour rolls around
And by chance that we’re both downtown
If we should meet, just walk on by
Ooooh darling, please don’t you cry
Tonight we’ll meet at the dark end of the street
You and me