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Opening statements -"It's a Long Way to Fall"

The following song is probably the most challenging of all. Some may see it as the darkest part of the recording, but I hope it will be, in its own way, uplifting and inspirational. It carries a strong message with many sides. In all honesty, its original conception had nothing to do with women or feminine ideas. It was meant to stand as somewhat of a protest against peer pressure and social competition, the phenomenon popularly known as "keeping up with the Jones." But as I began putting this collection together, I couldn't help but see the parallels to the plight of women in our society. It seems so very, very difficult to maintain all the appearances expected of women while maintaining a healthy and rewarding inner life. This is actually true for all of us, but I can't help but think I have it far easier than my female counterparts. At times, the lyrics may sound as if they are placing blame on the object of the song. I hope it is clear that this is not the case. But it is a very sensitive and delicate line we draw between victim and victor. Ultimately, we will choose which role we play, just as we will choose the message we gain from this revealing song.

"It's A Long Way to Fall"

I put you on a pedestal;
Placed you high above the clouds;
Told you not to look down.
It's a long way to fall.
It's a long, long way to fall.

I saw the angel soaring high,
Drifting farther out of sight;
Disappearing into night.
It's a long way to fall.
It's a long, long way to fall.

When you feel the truth is hard to take,
And words won't pull you through,
You may try to find a happy place to hide.
So you search for something more carefree,
And more within your reach.
Closer to euphoria, but farther from the fold.

They put you on a treadmill;
Made you feel like you belong.
You thought it couldn't be so wrong.
It's a long way to fall.
It's a long, long way to fall.

If you put your faith in silver cups
And other people's dreams,
You may find a long and lonely road.
You can sell your peace of mind,
For promises of gold.
Be careful when you make the deal,
Not to sell your soul.

They'll love you if..., and but..., and when...,
But even then just for the time;
For the "I", the "me", the "mine."
It's a long way to fall.
It's a long, long way to fall.

There's a home that's deep inside your heart
You're too quick to deny.
That's the place where Faith, and Truth, and Love resides.
As you blaze uncharted trails,
And drift on endless seas,
The people who've been true to you
Wait for your return.

Reflection - "It's a Long Way to Fall"

The way you look at the opening lines of this song is likely to affect the way you interpret the entire song. The meanings change profoundly depending on the point of view. It is written in first person, but the message has a way of coming write back at the singer. "I put you on a pedestal, told you not to look down, because it's a long way to fall." It's hard to really determine who needs to watch their step. If the pedestal is so treacherous, then what help am I to put her up there in the first place? So the song doesn't only warn against placing too much value in material or frivolous things. It also warns us to be careful when we feel the need to make those value judgments for others. If she wishes to be atop the pedestal, she has been granted the strength to make the climb. Then, and only then, will it be noble to tell her you will be there to catch her if she should fall.

The song says "When you feel the truth is hard to take, and words won't pull you through, you may try to find a happy place to hide." So often we try to hide from "self", but "self" goes with us wherever we run. When we attempt to anesthetize our feelings with any artificial form of pleasure or joy, we simply place our tears in a ridiculous disguise, a disguise our soul can see right through. "Closer to euphoria, but farther from the fold." When we open our hearts we free ourselves to experience the gifts of the spirit in our sadness as well as in our joy. In doing so we soon find that our laughter bounds from the same wellspring as our pain. This is the laughter that heals.

The remainder of the song deals with the traps that exist for her as she seeks a life of fulfillment. It's often easy to give in to other people's idea of what we should be. We each want to belong. We each feel a need to cherish and to be cherished. We usually seek the path of least resistance in meeting these goals. But when that path is not our path, distance is of no consequence. There is a home that's deep inside your soul, and unfortunately, it is often far too easy to deny. But, as the song says, it is the place where all those wonderful gifts like love, faith, hope, peace, and joy reside.