For the Healers, the Storytellers, the Shamans, the Counselors-- all those who walk into the dark first, in order to show the tribe the path to follow. We sing, and that keeps back the darkness. We shine, and that keeps the shadows at bay. We ride Rootless- we keep working, even when we have nothing left; even when we cannot ground; even when we cannot keep our heads up and our eyes open. We give and give until we cannot give anymore; we love and love, because that is how we are made.
We are here so the stories get told, and we keep going, even when it's hard.
This song was inspired by a conversation with an herbalist, upon her return from a visit to the Amazon. "Your heart is just so damn big honey," she told me, "we've got to get some protection for it."
This piece is for all of my fellow creative folk- writers, dancers, dreamers, makers, bards, teachers; all of you.
You ARE making a difference in someone else's life, whether or not you ever feel it. Don't stop, until you must.
Heavy medicine: all of those eye-opening lessons that the universe gives us, which sometimes lay us low and are at the same time exactly what we needed.
lyrics
Shield brother calls to beg me
get a message to his girl
ancestors stirring, sending messages
through our own across the world
I am listening, I am following
as warriors of the light can only do
we ride rootless
on heavy medicine
every day until our lives are through
CHORUS 1
we ride rootless on heavy medicine
disconnected from the ground
we ride rootless in dark places
unafraid that we might fall or die or drown
we are working, we are tireless
we are seekers of the way
we ride rootless on heavy medicine
and we live to fight another day
Time to do the work while my bones and blood are wild
with lessons learned and secrets shared
Friends and lovers help me put my armor back together
and never let me leave home unprepared
My comrade sets his fiddle to his shoulder
and I know today there'll be no turning back.
We'll ride rootless
on heavy medicine
unashamed of what we lack
CHORUS 2
We ride rootless on heavy medicine
disconnected from the ground
We ride fearless in dark places
hearts in danger but our spirits safe and sound
We are working, we are tireless
singing songs to stir the sky
We are honor bound to share these visions
walking tall and getting by
walking tall when we don't fly
Dirt beneath my nails
I claw my way home from the forest
just as crazy as before
but I am breathing and I am laughing
taking one step at a time
bringing truth from door to door
and I'm not the only one
one of many
unafraid to open eyes or heart or mind
We ride rootless
on heavy medicine
and we do it all the time
CHORUS 3
We ride rootless on heavy medicine
disconnected from the ground
We ride windward across the wasteland
skin in danger but our hearts all safe and sound
We speak the language of song and shadow
We are tenders of the flame
We ride rootless
on heavy medicine
and from day one we've never been the same
CHORUS 4
We are healers working retail
or working graveyard without pay
We tell stories in our circle
We listen or we dance or we just pray
We are working, we are tireless
We are teachers of the way
We ride rootless on heavy medicine
and we walk it every day
CHORUS 1
END COUNTERMELODY:
we are here so the stories get told
don't give up ride out be bold
build the fire bright and strong
speak your truth and sing your song
you are here so the stories get told
goddess bless your weary soul
raise your voice to call the cry
storytellers never die
goddess bless your weary heart
tried and tested, torn apart
holding hands around the flames
healed and whole we rise again
goddess bless your weary soul
we are here so the stories get told
and we live to fight another day
credits
from Rootless Digital Single,
track released September 13, 2011
Tracked and mixed by Ginger Doss, Eagle Audio
All vocals, drums, bass, guitars: S. J. Tucker
Words & Music by S. J. Tucker
Song art: Rob Carlos, www.colorsmith.com
Special thanks: Burt, Kore, Aja, Satyr, Argo, Gingy, Arjil, Cascadia, SG, ATC, and all who listen.
“Without our songs and stories, we are nothing.” S. J. Tucker has been captain of her own music career since 2004, when she
left the workaday world behind to sing songs and change lives. Tucker is the voice of lore at the campfire and the sharp laughter of modern myth. With one hand anchored in her art and the other held out to us, she is songs and stories, community and wit....more
I would happily stroll the green with the Professor if the opportunity came. So very posh, and yet so very silly. Who wouldn't love a chap like this? He inspires me to parasol-rap of my own. <3 S. J. Tucker
Ginger (they, them) is my favorite recording engineer, bandmate, soulmate, and straight-up genius. This Cocoon is their first solo release. Favorite track: "Made It Home". I sang backup on "Masks" S. J. Tucker
Dogwood is the real deal: mythology, wit, whimsy, wisdom, and outstanding musical chops. Do please eat the pomegranate seeds so that you can stay a while and listen. S. J. Tucker
This is exactly the album that I need right now. Especially Warlock's Oath and Fang into Vein. Of course, the entire album is glorious spooky goodness. I'm in love. <3 Sai Chi
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