and i will hang my head low

i just finished reading harry potter and the half blood prince. it's my second time through the book, having read it the day it came out last time, and again now in anticipation of the next one coming out.

rowling does an amazing job of growing her writing with the characters, both with her writing and with understanding what is going through their minds at various stages in their life, even when it makes her otherwise likable characters a touch annoying.

as i finished the book tonight (having read all of it today, along with doing a considerable amount of work), the following song came on, and i actually started crying. i definitely did not expect that reaction, but between being quite emotionally involved in the story, frustrated by the twins second straight one run loss, and other things, i guess it makes a little bit of sense. more than anything, the end of the book combined with this song really did it. what an excellent song. i leave you with it.

the crane wife (3) by the decemberists

and under the boughs, unbowed
all clothed in a snowy shroud
she had no heart so hardened
all under the boughs, unbowed

Each feather, it fell from skin
‘til threadbare, while she grew thin
how were my eyes so blinded
each feather, it fell from skin

and i will hang my head, hang my head low.

a grey sky, a bitter sting,
a rain cloud, a crane on wing.
all out beyond horizon,
a grey sky, a bitter sting.

and i will hang my head, hang my head low.