Earlier this year, Montreal musician, Lhasa, died of breast cancer. I saw Lhasa give an inspired performance in Edmonton in about 2004 thereabouts and all I can say is that this is one of the saddest losses for the music world in a very long time. I only bring this up right now because I finally got around to buying her final album and by Lord, if there is a more moving album out there today, I will eat a full box of tear-stained tissues.

These are the lyrics of “I’m Going In,” in which Lhasa forecasts her own death.

When my lifetime had just ended

And my death had just begun

I told you I’d never leave you

But I knew this day would come

Give me blood for my blood wedding

I am ready to be born

I feel new

As if this body were the first I’d ever worn

I need straw for the straw fire

I need hard earth for the plow

Don’t ask me to reconsider

I am ready to go now

I’m going in I’m going in

This is how it starts

I can see in so far

But afterwards we always forget

Who we are

I’m going in I’m going in

I can stand the pain

And the blinding heat

‘Cause I won’t remember you

The next time we meet

You’ll be making the arrangements

You’ll be trying to set me free

Not a moment for the meeting

I’ll be busy as a bee

You’ll be talking to me

But I just won’t understand

I’ll be falling by the wayside

You’ll be holding out your hand

Don’t you tempt me with perfection

I have other things to do

I didn’t burrow this far in

Just to come right back to you

I’m going in I’m going in

I have never been so ugly

I have never been so slow

These prison walls get closer now

The further in I go

I’m going in I’m going in

I like to see you from a distance

And just barely believe

And think that

Even lost and blind

I still invented love

I’m going in

I’m going in

I’m going in