2016/07/22

THE MEANING OF SHADOWLANDS

An acoustic version of “Shadowlands” – one microphone, one shot, one balcony. It’s a little song about what unites us. I’m not sure when that became such a distant aspiration for us. The lyric “we’re entering an age of solitude” is about witnessing this great dividing that is happening. It doesn’t matter whether its Trump’s speech last night with its “pointed-finger” rhetoric, politicians playing on fear to win votes, the resurrection of old borders – it does feel there is a great retreat into fear & suspicion. Personally I think that we have much bigger challenges as a species. I find all the focus on creed, colour, class, religion, gender, sexuality a distraction. Ultimately we have to overcome all the “isms” and “distinctions” between us and recognise 1) that our underlying humanity is something shared 2) that the preciousness of the planet is a challenge we need to focus on collectively as a species. The lyric “we’ll cross that bridge together” isn’t about some soppy sentiment. It’s based on the fact that we will enter an age of solitude – in the extinction of the animal species, in the destruction of the rainforests, in the overfishing of the seas, in the event of nuclear attack – unless we face the spiritual challenge of learning to love one another, overcoming our differences, recognising that our challenges are collective, and rolling up our sleeves to work together – rather than against one another. Despite all the dark forces at play, the song is ultimately about hope. Life remains the great miracle, and living the great joy. And its remembering those gifts that can keep us motivated, keep us inspired, keep us challenging old problems with renewed spirt.

TOUR DATESCLICK HERE!

Thank you Adi from RAWCREATION and of course the boss that is Ben Barritt

Comments

Commenting is closed for this article.