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Rainbow Serpent

from Here I Am by Ben Travis

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about

One thing that helps me become more understanding of people who are different than I am is to imagine life from their perspective. In this case, I was studying Australia, and I wondered what it would be like to live as an Australian Aboriginee. I pictured myself in that lifestyle and a song started to flow.

The first thing you hear... the odd thing, I suppose, is the sound of the didjeridoo. My understanding is that this is an instrument that they often play, as it can be created from bamboo or other materials on hand out in the wilderness. I also learned that part of their religion is to worship a being called "The Rainbow Serpent." This was obviously very foreign to me, but I tried to imagine how it would feel to be as connected to this "Rainbow Serpent" as I had been to my own religion. This is really a song of worship... just not the type of worship most of us would be familiar with. It's not so hard to imagine, though, sitting under the dark, Australian sky, playing the didjeridoo, not worrying about mortages, bills, or other obligations.

Special thanks to Lee Walker, who toiled and labored over this song in the recording phase, helping me refine it and make it better. Also special thanks to Svargo Freitag at didjshop.com for allowing me to use Dennis and Trevor's didgeridoo recordings.

lyrics

The Rainbow Serpent
© 2000 Ben Travis

When I look across the plains
I see a thousand stars
Every time I close my eyes
I know I'm where I belong

'Cause I hear my friend the kookabura call
And I hear the wind tonight
It's singing me a song

(chorus)
And the Rainbow Serpent comes
To call my name
And the earth my mother
Brings a smile
And the way I feel tonight
With this bamboo on my lips
Must be the reason I am here at all

When I look into the trees
I see a thousand eyes
Every one I call my friend
They share the same land as I

Sometimes I call my tribe
To join me in a song
But sometimes I climb the hills
And play my songs alone
[to chorus]

I can't remember ever needing
More than what I carry with me
Now inside my pack
Placed here upon my back
[to chorus]

credits

from Here I Am, released September 10, 2013

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Ben Travis Nashville, Tennessee

I’m a Nashville-based audio engineer and producer. I work primarily with singer/songwriters and bands with original music to help them create a musical product they can be proud of without paying the prices of major studios.

I'm also an independent artist and songwriter. My music invites listeners to think and ask meaningful questions about the world around them. ... more

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