In July of 2010, Sarah Siskind found herself thousands of miles from her Tennessee home in a small ranch house just outside of Boulder. Escaping the oppressive southern summer heat for six weeks, she took temporary roots in Colorado while teaching songwriting at a nearby festival and touring the southwest. Her intent was to finish writing the songs for her new album, Novel, during her downtime.
Just out of a five-year publishing deal on Nashville’s Music Row, Sarah was inspired by the idea of exploring her sound as a musician and her vision as an artist. Bathing in this newfound freedom, her creativity burgeoned and she was soon setting up a microphone in the spare bedroom and hitting record.
It began with the recording of a simple guitar and vocal track for "Nowhere In The Middle", a song that explores the dangers of loving someone too much. Unable to put the track away, she found herself in the kitchen pantry grabbing salt canisters, dry rice, and oatmeal boxes to create a percussion section. She made a snare out of a storage box with sheets of paper taped to the top. Swept away by the muse, Sarah would continue to record the rest of the songs this way, finishing it with just one microphone, several guitars (including her beloved Gibson, Larry), and "found sounds” from her home back in Nashville. Sarah engineered, tracked and produced “Novel” with no boundaries, no one else in the room, on her own.
Despite her isolation, the theme of the album became human connection and no single song onNovel illustrates that better than the title track, a song that reminisces about ‘old-fashioned’ pre-internet friendship and courtship. “Growing up, the thought of using technology to connect with another human never crossed my mind," says Sarah. "People dropped by, there were hours upon hours of sitting on a floor talking with friends and family, and we listened to and played music together."
Novel's lead track is "Yellow and Blue", an Alice in Wonderland-esque take on wandering into uncharted territory, whether it be a stranger's garden or a new relationship. "I had the most vividimagination as a child, always craving that buzz of a new experience...I hope I never lose that."What follows is songwriting study touching on emotional chapters we all face: shouting up to ask for relief ("Take Me"), falling head over heels ("Feeling For You", "I Think About Love"), breaking down ("Crying On A Plane", "You're Still There"), children growing up and out ("Welcome Home"), and fighting with and for love ("Nowhere In The Middle", "Rescue You"). The closing track is a raw and chugging version of the spiritual "Didn't It Rain", made famous by Mahalia Jackson. The tambourine sounds are children's instruments Sarah strapped to her ankles.
Sarah makes jewelry from charms, beads and the like that she finds while on the road and sells them on Etsy and at her live gigs. Though wheat/dairy free, Sarah can (thankfully) still drink good beer and shares recipes, tips and restaurant/brewery suggestions on her food blog. Born and raised in North Carolina, she makes her home in Nashville, TN.
In the Mountains
Sarah Siskind Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am tending to my heart
I go walking with the stars
...
In the mountains
I am closer to the sky
I'm an eagle not a sparrow
In the mountains
I can let my burdens go
I go walking in the snow
...
In the mountains
I feel closer to God
I'm a shepherd not a soilder
In the mountains out of sight
If you can find me
You can sit down beside me
But don't forsake me
For I am so happy
in the mountains
I can do want is right
I'm an eagle not a sparrow
I'm a Shepard not a soldier
In the mountain out of sight.
Sarah Siskind's "In the Mountains" poetically explains the peace and liberty one experiences when in the mountains. For the singer, the mountains serve as a sanctuary for self-care, a place where they mend their heart. It is where the stars shine brightest, and she feels at home. In the mountains, she is no longer a sparrow, but an eagle, soaring high with majestic grace. It's where she feels free from the chaos of the world; as she walks in the snow, she can let go of her burdens. Furthermore, being in the mountains brings the singer closer to God, where she feels more spiritual and connected. The mountains are her refuge, where she becomes the shepherd of her life, guiding herself in the right direction.
The song is a beautiful reminder that nature is a source of healing and inspiration. It is where one can find the answers to life's questions while feeling most at peace. It is also worth noting the song's powerful message that we are free to be whoever we want to be in the mountains. The singer highlights the fact that in the mountains, she becomes an eagle and a shepherd, shedding societal roles and responsibilities.
Line by Line Meaning
In the mountains
When I am surrounded by nature in the mountains.
I am tending to my heart
I am taking care of my emotional and mental well-being.
I go walking with the stars
I am enjoying the peacefulness and beauty of the surroundings, often venturing out at night.
I am closer to the sky
Being high up in the mountains gives me a sense of elevation and closeness to the heavens.
I'm an eagle not a sparrow
I feel powerful and free like an eagle soaring in the sky.
In the mountains out of sight
The vastness of the mountains allows me to escape from the chaos and noise of the world and hide away in this peaceful environment.
I can let my burdens go
The peaceful solitude of the mountains allows me to release any worries or troubles I may be carrying with me.
I go walking in the snow
I enjoy the serene quiet of the snow-covered mountains and the experience of immersing myself in it.
I feel closer to God
Being surrounded by the natural beauty of the mountains makes me feel spiritually connected.
I'm a shepherd not a soldier
I am caring for and nurturing myself instead of fighting or conquering anything.
If you can find me
If you manage to make the effort and get to where I am hidden away in the mountains.
You can sit down beside me
I will welcome you to join me and share the peacefulness of this beautiful place.
But don't forsake me
Don't turn your back on me or leave me here all alone.
For I am so happy
This natural environment brings me true joy and peace.
I can do want is right
The isolation and beauty of the mountains allows me to focus on my true desires and intentions.
I'm a Shepard not a soldier
I am caring for and nurturing myself in this peaceful place, rather than fighting or conquering anything.
In the mountain out of sight.
The vastness and ruggedness of the mountains provide a solitary and hidden place to find quiet and peace.
Writer(s): Sarah Siskind
Contributed by Bailey B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.