When You Come Back Down

Nickel Creek's haunting strains in When You Come Back Down bring to mind the wistful falling of leaves in autumn. The song makes it easy to imagine walking through vibrant hues of orange, red and yellow while thinking about memories past.

The lyrics themselves, however, signal the inevitable course of change while seeking to capture the inherent struggle of individuals to resist it. This tension with time becomes for the song that which most defines life. Listeners will battle through the songs lucid refrain to both hold on to a past, while embracing the inescapable lesson of learning to let go.

Ironically, the song's bedrock is the willingness of the singer to ground the possibilities of the future with steadfast support in the present. He never really lets go of the past completely, yet he does not remain fixed in despair. Far from being an existential crisis, the singer deals with life in a reality of acceptance.

My random thoughts aside, it really is a great listen if you are so inclined. I will try to find a link so you can hear.

Update: When I wrote this post, soon to be, two years ago, the video I promised to post never materialized. It seems this particular post has grown popular so I am glad to provide the update below featuring the official music video. Of course, lyrics follow after the jump.

When You Come Back Down

You gotta leave me now
You gotta go along
You gotta chase a dream
One that's all your own
Before it slips away

When you're flying high
Take my heart along
I'll be the harmony
To every lonely song
But you'll learn to play

When you're soaring through the air
I'll be your solid ground
Take every chance you dare
I'll still be there
When you come back down
When you come back down

I keep looking up
Waiting your return
My greatest fear will be
That you will crash and burn
And I won't feel your fire

I'll be the other hand
That always holds a line
Connecting in between
Your sweet heart and mine
I'm strung out on that wire

And I'll be on the other end
To hear you when you call
Angel you were born to fly
And if you get too high
I'll catch you when you fall
Catch you when you fall

The memories, the sunshine
Every new day brings
I know the sky is calling
Angel let me help you with your wings

When you're soaring through the air
I'll be your solid ground
Take every chance you dare
I'll still be there
When you come back down

Take every chance you dare
I'll still be there
When you come back down
When you come back down

*Photo courtesy of Canonical.org.