I wrote this tune after a visit to Arizona - go figure!
lyrics
LYRICS:
Desert Life is precious, a place of all extremes
Sun’s too hot to handle, it’s brighter than it seems
Nights are cold and lonely, Days hot as hell
You might survive living here, it’s just too soon to tell>
Look in all directions, there’s a billion stars tonight
the suguaro cactus stands like a sentry, looking for a fight
couples may be broken, river rocks may fly
but the clouds are always beautiful - in the Arizona skies
We are the stones - smoothed by the river
Rough is the sand, and the water makes you shiver
Living here in desolation you expect some things to die
it’s strange, but true - no on even cries
Celebrate for the living, remembrance for the dead
We light a candle - at one end
Put the candle in the river - watch it float away
remember back in time to another day
life was good - we liked it then
but we must go on and on
till the candles come floating back again
We are the stones - smoothed by the river
Rough is the sand, and the water makes you shiver
Rarely in the desert comes a pouring rain
but it’s joyful when it happens, you can feel alive again
Standing in the shower it feels like rain
there’s nothing like the feeling of the absence of pain
We are the stones - smoothed by the river
Rough is the sand, and the water makes you shiver
I said look out across, send word down
to reach the boss on the way to town,
if your going in the right direction...
Here, then we’re gone, but a little part lives on,
living life, dying death and the earth just took one breath
DISCUSSION OF THE LYRICS:
Brief:
The song "Arizona Skies" is an introspective journey inspired by the Arizona desert's barren beauty. It explores the desert's lessons on life, death, and the transient nature of existence.
The lyrics capture the extremes of desert life, the longing for purpose, the power of transformation, and the acceptance of mortality. It contemplates the cycle of life and the interconnectedness of all beings.
The song acknowledges the rarity of joyful moments and the importance of embracing all experiences. Ultimately, it reflects on our fleeting presence in the universe and the profound wisdom found in the desert's landscapes.
There was a time in my life when I found myself amidst the barren beauty of the Arizona deserts. This land, of stark contrasts and resolute perseverance, was a profound teacher. Its lessons on life, death, and the transient nature of existence deeply influenced me, inspiring the song, 'Arizona Skies.'
"Desert Life is precious, a place of all extremes," the opening lines capture the paradox of the desert, a symphony of extremes. The relentless sun, hotter than one imagines, against the chilling solitude of the nights, encapsulates life's dualities, its flux of joy and pain. One learns to survive, to evolve amidst these extremes, just like the desert life forms, thriving against all odds.
"Look in all directions, there’s a billion stars tonight, the saguaro cactus stands like a sentry, looking for a fight." The metaphor of the saguaro cactus, standing sentinel amidst the cosmic tapestry, reflects our innate longing for belonging, our quest for purpose in the grand scheme of existence. We may feel alone, like solitary cacti in the desert, yet we are connected in the cosmos' dance, part of a greater unity.
"We are the stones - smoothed by the river, Rough is the sand, and the water makes you shiver." These lines evoke the power of transformation. Just as the rough stones in the river's path are slowly smoothed over time, life's trials and tribulations shape us, refining our edges, fostering our growth. The shiver of the water, an echo of life's challenges, serves to awaken us, stir our souls towards evolution.
"Living here in desolation you expect some things to die." This raw acknowledgment of mortality in the heart of the desert captures the transient nature of existence. Yet, death in the desert is not an end, but a passage, a transition into a new form, a new expression of life.
"Put the candle in the river - watch it float away... but we must go on and on till the candles come floating back again." The floating candle is a symbol of our ephemeral existence, a luminous flicker on the river of time. We carry the memories, the essence of those who have journeyed before us, and when our candle joins the river, we continue the cycle, living on in the hearts and minds of those who remain.
"Rarely in the desert comes a pouring rain, but it’s joyful when it happens, you can feel alive again." Here, the rare desert rain signifies life's unexpected gifts, moments of joy and relief amidst adversity. It also highlights the necessity of embracing all of life's experiences, for even the scorching desert thirsts for the quenching rain.
"Here, then we’re gone, but a little part lives on, living life, dying death and the earth just took one breath." This final verse encapsulates the song's philosophical essence: we are but fleeting visitors on this beautiful planet, a temporary constellation of matter and spirit. Our existence is a single breath in the timeless expanse of the universe.
'Arizona Skies' was not merely a tribute to the desert's rugged beauty; it was a profound exploration of life, death, and the fleeting nature of existence. Rooted in the wisdom of Don Miguel Ruiz and infused with the soulful lyricism of Rumi, the song transformed the Arizona desert's stark landscapes into a spiritual canvas, painting profound truths with the brushstrokes of melody and verse.
credits
from Step Right, Shake Left,
track released January 1, 2001
Jim Beckwith backed by Native Vibe. Arrangement by Bill MacPherson and Nee Sackey.
Jim Beckwith is a fine writer of lyrics to inspire & a unique & compelling voice; a soulful texture that draws on influences
from jazz and pop to R&B and voices from around the world. His voice has been called 'a male Sade' & something like 'a refined Sting'. Songs with lyrics that make you think & feel. Jim has players on his albums that play with artists like Sting, Stevie Wonder, James Taylor....more
The best new world-spirit record out there! Take a listen. Chant music with fresh East-meets-West mashup of styles, great vibe and musicality with a lot of heart. Jim Beckwith
The latest from Grails is full of woozy, expansive music that draws on a host of sources to create immersive compositions. Bandcamp New & Notable Dec 5, 2016
