#29 Upon the bones of my ancestors
I build this little life of mine, knowing that my efforts have all been greatly multiplied. I started at the top of mountains beneath the shadows of giants who came before.
I wrote this song last tuesday evening, right before we were starting a yagé ceremony (Ayahuasca). The prompt was “on the bones of my ancestors.” Probably not something I’d typically come up with myself but earlier in the week we shared a special time in the retreat with my dear friend Helmut, and Hata Marcos- one of the elders we work with from the Kogui tribe.
It was like a scene out of Khalil Gibran’s The Prophet, we sat in a circle and had the rare opportunity to sit with some very wise men, with completely different experiences and lifestyles than us. We asked questions and they answered in simple but poetic responses, taking their time and choosing their words wisely.
In one moment I heard the phrase “bones of our ancestors” come out the mouth of helmut and I found it special. The phrase stuck with me and I even wrote it down in the moment.
When the time came for a new prompt on Wednesday morning for the songwriting game, it was already clear- thanks helmut.
this is the song I wrote; 👇
Thanks for listening! ☝️👂🙏
Lyrics:
Of all the roads I’ve walked
Rarely did I a have a place in mind
Searching for feeling, a moment
Longing for the sun to rise
Though I’m all alone
I never had a wish for company
I can feel the presence, of the spirits
Lighting up the path for me
Upon the bones of my ancestors
I build this little life of mine
Knowing that my efforts have all been greatly multiplied
I started at the top of mountains
Beneath the shadows of giants
Who came before
And all that I can do
Is all I can
Around the fire lit
I can see the smoke carry my prayers
Lifting them to heaven, to my angels
I can hear the choir sing
The moment to confess
Everything I’ve doubted in the day
Comes when I am sitting, with my elders
Around the stones who witness it
Upon the bones of my ancestors
I build this little life of mine
Knowing that my efforts have all been greatly multiplied
I started at the top of mountains
Beneath the shadows of giants
Who came before
And all that I can do
Is all I can
Xogb
Something about this song felt special. It was one that just fell out with ease and that hasn’t happened for months it feels like.
The fire was lit, family gathered in the temple, the low murmurings of conversation and songs being shared casted a magic in the air as we got closer and closer the start of the ceremony.
I checked out for 30 minutes and sat in my favorite spot, and enjoyed the process of ushering in this song.
I had a bit of a bridge in mind that didn’t make it into this one take recording but I’m working on a new project that I think this song will suit well.
Anyways- because of my ancestors, I’ve got a truly wonderful life. I hope I can honor them along the way.
thanks for everything y’all.
xogb 🐝❤️🧙♂️
PS: thank you to my buddy Adam elfers for snapping some really great candids of Benjo and I.