Robyn Landis: Listen
Lowlands
(Robyn Landis)
Robyn Landis
I had someone in particular in mind when I wrote this song, but it's been amazing how many people have told me ruefully that the song feels like it's about them. I guess the concept of not taking risks or chances or living/loving fully is a sore subject with most of us.
He stood near the ocean
time and again
Stared down the horizon
so far from him
He doesn’t like waves
never quite learned to swim
so he can’t go in
He goes right to the edge
lets the tide kiss his feet
it’s always too cold
and he makes his retreat
Spends his time on this quiet shore
while the sun sinks behind him some more
He feels safe on dry ground
He knows where he stands
There’s just enough space for one man
He dreams of high flying
and sailing through clouds
but he lives down here now
in the lowlands
She was a wild cruise
too far out to sea
It was more of a ride
than he wanted it to be
Afraid he would drown
felt like he couldn’t breathe
so he set her free
But some nights he creeps back
to that beach in the dark
remembers the salt
and the light of that spark
And life on this quiet shore
dims just a little bit more
But he's safe on dry ground
He knows where he stands
feet firmly committed to land
He dreams of skywriting
and soaring through clouds
but he lives down here now
in the lowlands
BRIDGE
The undertow of dreams
is stronger than it seems
He just can’t wake up enough
to remember what it means
He stands by the ocean
this one last day
Drawn to its edge
but he cannot stay
Intrigued by a song
he's not ready to play
so he turns away
He’s been right to the edge
let the tide kiss his feet
It was always too cold
and he made his retreat
Turned his back on this quiet shore
and the sun sank behind him once more
He's safe on dry ground
He knows where he stands
His heart has brooked no demands
He thought he might die
to get up in the clouds
so he lives down here.......
in the lowlands
in the lowlands
in the lowlands