Aurora

I have tried and failed countless times to write a song about my experience in Alaska. Yesterday, this one just slipped out. It's that time of year again, where old friends are headed back north and I feel nostalgic for those people and places.

One of my last nights in Alaska there was a big bonfire at Creekside. It was the first night the Aurora came out in full force since I had arrived, and the image of that gigantic bonfire reaching up toward a sky dancing with green light has always stuck with me, and became the kernel of this song.

Lyrics:
Well the Canyon must be filling up again
with wayfaring strangers, Huckleberry Finns,
Someday I'll make it back up there but Lord I don't know when
The Canyon must be filling up again

That summer we were careless, we were young
Flew like bullets underneath that Midnight Sun
Through the fireweed and the aspens with cheap bourbon in our glasses
That summer we were reckless, we were young

Aurora, she don't come around til the willows bleed and the leaves are down
But when she does we'll kiss that ground again
We'll burn a pile of all we own, a signal fire to gods unknown
til the tongues of flame meet with the tongues of heaven

In the valley every footfall is a prayer
No need to search: your soul is everywhere
And Denali, when she's out feels like the Maker's coming down
In the valley every footfall is a prayer

Aurora, she don't come around til the willows bleed and the leaves are down
But when she does we'll kiss that ground again
We'll burn a pile of all we own, a signal fire to gods unknown
til the tongues of flame meet with the tongues of heaven

And we're just a couple Lost Boys, I suppose
With whiskey and woodsmoke in our clothes
Lord knows

I'll remember you like Jonah did the Whale
And every time I set my boots to trail
I'll think of you Alaska and if I could I'd raise my glass
To Nenana, to Healy, to the nights at Carlo Creek
to the bus down the Stampede Trail
I remember you like Jonah did the Whale

Aurora, she don't come around til the willows bleed and the leaves are down
But when she does we'll kiss that ground again
We'll burn a pile of all we own, a signal fire to gods unknown
til the tongues of flame meet with the tongues of heaven