Music Therapy

So I fight, on and off, with depression, as do most people of any worth in the world, I've found. (It's a much saner response than the sunny optimism of The Deciderer.) In 2003, I literally wrestled my way back from the precipice with power pop--something about listening to the music which connected me when I was connected helped to reconnect me, as weird as that sounds.

But of course the opposite is also true. Of course, the wrong song heard at the wrong time can be as dangerous as the right song heard at the right time can be healing. And so I give you The Shins, "Young Pilgrims."



And since this is only a partial youtube, and the sound sucks, I'll include the lyrics.

"Young Pilgrims"

A cold and wet November dawn
And there are no barking sparrows
Just emptiness to dwell upon.

I fell into a winter slide
And ended up the kind of kid who goes down chutes too narrow
Just eking out my measly pies.

But I learned fast how to keep my head up 'cause I
Know there is this side of me that
Wants to grab the yoke from the pilot and just
Fly the whole mess into the sea.

Another slow train to the coast
Some brand new gory art from way on high
I sink and then I swim all night.

I watch the ice melt on the glass
While the eloquent young pilgrims pass
And leave behind their trail
Imploring us not to fail.

Of course I was raised to gather courage from those
Lofty tales so tried and true and
If you're able I'd suggest it 'cause this
Modern thought can get the best of you.

This rather simple epitaph can save your hide, your falling mind
Fate isn't what we're up against, there's no design, no flaws to find
There's no design, no flaws to find.

But I learned fast how to keep my head up 'cause I
Know I got this side of me that
Wants to grab the yoke from the pilot and just
Fly the whole mess into the sea.

I'll be okay, BTW--just having a down patch.