I discovered Missy Higgins' music last year, thanks to the wonders of Pandora. She is a delightful, young Australian singer/songwriter. Her music varies from haunting ballads to rockin' upbeat tunes. A couple of her songs even have a country feel. Many of her tunes have only her own lush piano accompaniment. Others have hard guitar licks, and others more complex orchestration. There is a lot of variety. Read more about Missy here.
I have listened to her two albums (The Sound of White & On a Clear Night) over and over. But after staying up until 2am, writing the first draft of my inaugural Tree Climber diary last week, I was mowing my yard the next morning, and listening to her music on my Ipod. But this time, the words to some of her songs sounded completely different.
One song in particular, The River, is one that I don't believe could have been written by someone who didn't either suffer childhood sexual abuse personally, or have very close loved ones who did. That song is so chockfull of triggers that I won't post all the lyrics, or embed the video. But here is a heart-breaking sample:
"The River" by Missy Higgins
She ran until her face was numb with cold and
Wore a cotton gown that blazed the night untold.
She ran until her feet refused to hold
So heavy a heart for someone merely ten years old.
And when she reached the river her knees began to shiver,
Her head with pounding voices from home.
Behind her was a vision, a painful apparition
Of a darker world that no-one should know.
It is a hauntingly beautiful tune... but dark and brutally honest. Don't go there if you are having a bad day. And if you decide to listen to it, please try to have some loving support nearby. It's just that powerful a song.
Another tune, Katie, is a little more hopeful:
"Katie"
Katie was a little girl who said "I'll find a way".
Katie was a little girl who said "it'll be ok".
Till one day she found a little bit of something she used to drown.
She said "I'm alive and I am free, but you see I have control over me."
But will you draw the line?
Turn a blind eye to all the faces that you know?
And she said, "go".
Katie seems to be a youg girl who has learned to draw the line. She won't put up with it any more. She is in control, not anybody else.
Nightminds is my personal favorite:
I have loved this melody since I first heard the tune. But now, after becoming involved in the Tree Climbers group, I appreciate it even more. The incredible lyrics seem to be almost an anthem written for the Tree Climbers, describing the loving support that the members of that special community have for each other:
"Nightminds" by Missy Higgins
Just lay it all down. Put your face into my neck and let it fall out.
I know, I know, I know.
I knew before you got home.
This world you're in now,
It doesn't have to be alone,
I'll get there somehow, 'cos
I know I know I know
When, even springtime feels cold.
But I will learn to breathe this ugliness you see,
So we can both be there and we can both share the dark.
And in our honesty, together we will rise,
Out of our nightminds, and into the light
At the end of the fight...
You were blessed by a different kind of inner view: it's all magnified.
The highs would make you fly, and the lows make you want to die.
And I was once there, hanging from that very ledge where you are standing.
So I know, I know, I know,
It's easier to let go.
But I will learn to breathe this ugliness you see,
So we can both be there and we can both share the dark.
And in our honesty, together we will rise out of our nightminds
And into the light at the end of the fight.
...and in our honesty, together we will rise out of our nightminds
And into the light... at the end of the fight...
Another of her tunes,
Steer, is much more optimistic and upbeat. It seems to glow with possibilities for the future, even for those with so much darkness in their past :
"Steer" by Missy Higgins
Feel it falling off like clothing
Taste it rolling on your tongue
See the lights above you glowing
Oh and breathe them deep into your lungs
It was always simple, not hidden hard
You've been pulling at the strings
Playing puppeteer for kings
And you've had enough
But the search ends here
Where the night is totally clear
And your heart is fierce
So now you finally know
That you control where you go
You can steer
So hold this feeling like a newborn
All the freedom surging through your veins
You have opened up a new door
So bring on the wind, fire and rain
It was always simple, not hidden hard
You've been played at a game
Called remembering your name
And you stuffed it up
But the search ends here
Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com
Where the night is totally clear
And your heart is fierce
So now you finally know
That you control where you go
You can steer
Oh
And now you finally know
That you control where you go
You can steer
'Cause you've been listening for answers
Oh but the city screams and all your dreams go unheard
But the search ends here
Where the night is totally clear
And your heart is fierce
So now you finally know
That you control where you go
You can steer
Oh
And get out of the box
And step into the clear
Oh
Cause now you finally know
That you can steer
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National Sexual Assault Hotline 1.800.656.4673.