Beautifully tragic.

We're going to go on a little journey, you and I. You're going to sit there, and I'm going to tell you a story of lost love that I just realized was sitting in my iTunes, specifically the Beautiful Music collection. Keep in mind, the order of the songs is as they appear in the collection. I haven't done anything to move them around. This is just the way they came together, which I think is pretty cool.

And so, without any further ado, I present my accidental music story:

"(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden," by Lynn Anderson

We begin with a relationship that might be in a little trouble. both sides seem to be expecting different things and the rude awakenings are starting to take their toll. At this point we can probably be pretty sure that this can only end in tears, but exactly how it will all play out is anyone's guess. Still, who knows, maybe those crazy kids will work things out (though I have to warn you, that song is not on this list).

"The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia," by Vicki Lawrence

Uh oh. Looks like things have gone from bad to worse and we've seemingly abandoned our couple for the view of someone on the outside. It would appear that the problems of the previous song have only multiplied and the end of the relationship is only a matter of time. So very sad that two lives have to be ruined because of it, but maybe it's for the best. After all, if the third party hadn't interfered, who knows how long this doomed romance would have gone on.

"Moody River," by Pat Boone

With the romance gone and the couple separated, here we start to see the the aftermath of the end of the relationship from one half of the pair. It came so unexpectedly and now she's just gone without a trace and only a simple explanation. He's going going through some things right now. We'd best leave him alone (and maybe give him a life preserver).

"The End Of The World," by Skeeter Davis

And here we see the other half of the story. Sure, the relationship had its problems, but it's still sad to see that it's come to this. Now, all alone, and unsure of what to do, it's time for some good old-fashioned wallowing in self-pity. Cheer up, hon. It's going to get better with time.

"Gonna Get Along Without You Now," by Skeeter Davis.

And so it has. Seeing all of the problems. Seeing that it was doomed from the start, it's time to take stock and realize that ending it was for the best, that it's time to move on, and that the world isn't quite so dark. In fact, both parties now realize that she doesn't need him and he doesn't need her. Folks, I think these two crazy kids are going to be all right.

Their futures brighter, though by no means less uncertain, it's time to bid our characters adieu and move on to other songs and other stories. I hope you enjoyed this little story, or that it at least made you think about how the order in which things, like songs, fall can really affect how you see them. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go listen to "Swingin' Safari."