Ross' music borrows from rock, jazz, folk and classical music creating a style that he describes as "heavy wood". Ross is the first and only person to twice win the U.S. National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship (1988 and 1996). His album Huron Street reached the top ten on the Billboard new age chart. In the liner notes to Ross' 2003 album Robot Monster, Bruce Cockburn writes, "Nobody does what Don Ross does with an acoustic guitar. He takes the corners so fast you think he's going to roll, but he never loses control."
Spirit Wars
Don Ross Lyrics
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One man's loss is another man's gain
There's a broken half that makes us whole
We're all comrades in the spirit wars
Comrades in the spirit wars
Broken half that makes us whole
I will never forget what I already know
Remember the time we all were slaves
When our only reward was an early grave
Our spirits lived behind closed doors
Like a lighthouse burning out in a storm
Remember the time we all were kings
Hoarding power and material things
Weath enough to dim the stars
From those days we bear these scars
Remember the time we all were free
There was no distance between you and me
Power of god renew our souls
Like light pouring out from an empty bowl
The song "Spirit Wars" by Don Ross reflects the struggles and challenges of life in this world. The opening lines of the song "Down here in this world of chains, one man's loss is another man's gain" imply that the world we live in is full of struggle, where we all have to face difficult situations that can either bring us down or lift us up. The reference to a "broken half that makes us whole" indicates that while we all struggle with our own issues, we also have the potential to come together and support each other in our time of need.
The refrain "Comrades in the spirit wars, broken half that makes us whole" emphasizes the theme of unity in the midst of adversity. The singer acknowledges that "We all have a common soul" and that our struggles are not unique to us alone. The following stanzas make allusions to the different phases of life - the time we all were slaves, kings, and free - and how each phase has left an indelible mark on our lives. Whether it is our struggles for freedom or our quest for power and wealth, something within us remains unchanged. However, by invoking the power of god, we can find inner peace and security, like "light pouring out from an empty bowl".
Overall, the song Spirit Wars by Don Ross is an insightful reflection on the nature of life, the struggles we face, and the resilience of the human spirit. It reminds us that despite the challenges we face, we are not alone, and that we can unite to overcome the obstacles in our path.
Line by Line Meaning
Down here in this world of chains
In this world full of limitations and hardships
One man's loss is another man's gain
When one person experiences a setback or failure, another person may benefit or achieve success as a result
There's a broken half that makes us whole
Even though we may feel broken, the pieces of ourselves unite to create a complete and whole being
We're all comrades in the spirit wars
We're all in this together, fighting together in the battles of life
I will never forget what I already know
I won't lose sight of the truths that I've already learned and hold dear
We all have a common soul
We all share the same essence, the same core of being that unites us
Remember the time we all were slaves
Reflecting on a time when we were once controlled and oppressed by external forces
When our only reward was an early grave
We were pushed to the brink by our oppressors and met an early death, almost like a reward for our work or struggle
Our spirits lived behind closed doors
We were forced to hide and conceal our true selves, even our spirits and souls
Like a lighthouse burning out in a storm
Just like a lighthouse can burn out and falter during a storm, our inner lights can flicker and weaken in times of turmoil
Remember the time we all were kings
Reflecting on a time when we all had great power and control
Hoarding power and material things
We were obsessed with accumulating power and resources, often at the expense of others
Wealth enough to dim the stars
Our wealth was so great that it overshadowed even the vastness and grandeur of the heavens
From those days we bear these scars
We still carry the wounds and scars of those times, even though they may be long gone
Remember the time we all were free
Reflecting on a time when we experienced true and complete freedom
There was no distance between you and me
We were close and connected, with no barriers or separation between us
Power of god renew our souls
We ask for the strength and energy of a higher power to replenish and recharge our spirits
Like light pouring out from an empty bowl
Just like light can flow out from an empty container, we can be filled with hope and inspiration even in our darkest moments
Contributed by Isabelle B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.