Heath Ledger

There is something especially sad and poignant about an untimely death, especially of someone so talented and with such a bright future ahead of him. Heath Ledger, only 28 years old, had already brilliantly acted in several incredible films including Monster's Ball and Brokeback Mountain. He now joins the pantheon with James Dean, River Phoenix, Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, John Belushi, and so on. The role of drugs adds another layer of complication to the story. What a shame. I don't really have anything profound to add, but I think the lyrics to Natalie Merchant's song "River" about River Phoenix seem appropriate for the occasion.

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Young & strong

Hollywood son

In the early morning light

This star fell down

On Sunset Boulevard

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Young & strong beautiful one

One that we embraced so close

Is gone

Was torn away

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Let the youth of America mourn

Include him in their prayers

Let his image linger on

Repeat it everywhere

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With candles with flowers

He was one of ours

One of ours

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Why don't you let him be?

He's gone

We know

Give his mother & his father peace

Your vulture's candor

Your casual slander

You murder his memory

He's gone

We know

And it's nothing but a tragedy

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Lay to rest your soul and body

Lay beside your name

Lay to rest your rage

Your hunger and amazing grace

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With candles, with flowers

You were one of ours

One of ours

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I saw cameras expose your life

I heard rumors explode with lies

I saw children with tears

Cry and crowd around the sight

Of where you had collapsed that day

Where your last breath & word

Had been sighed

Where your heart had burst

Where you had died

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I saw how they were lost in grieving

All half-believing you were gone

The loss and pain of it

Crime and the shame of it

You were gone

It was such a nightmare raving,

"How could we save him

From himself?"