Top Of The Ridge

[Verse 1]
Boots kick dust on the switchback trail
Breath runs short
But my will won’t fail
Sun on my neck
Sweat in my eyes
Stone underfoot
And a big blue sky
[Chorus]
I’m goin’ up
Up
Up to the top of the ridge (oh yeah)
Heart beat drumming on a shaky little bridge
Every step I take
I’m leavin’ weight behind
’Til the whole wide world is layin’ on the other side
[Verse 2]
Pack feels heavy when the shade runs thin
Wind starts talkin’ like an old close friend
Legs say “quit
” but my soul says “go”
There’s a line in the clouds I’m tryin’ to know
[Chorus]
I’m goin’ up
Up
Up to the top of the ridge (sing it)
Heart beat drumming on a shaky little bridge
Every step I take
I’m leavin’ weight behind
’Til the whole wide world is layin’ on the other side
[Bridge]
Then I crest that crown of rock and pine (oh Lord)
See the valleys rollin’ out like a broken-in rhyme
River like silver
Towns like sparks
All my little troubles feel small
So small
In the dark
[Chorus]
I made it up
Up
Up to the top of the ridge (hallelujah)
Big sky singing from the edge of the cliff
Take a long slow breath
Leave the hurt below
With this wide-open view
I can finally let it go

Laid-back electric blues with male vocals, swung shuffle groove, walking bass, and a gritty tube-amp guitar tone; verses ride a tight trio feel, then the chorus opens up with organ pads and stacked call-and-response backing vocals; occasional bent-note guitar fills answer vocal phrases, with a dynamic lift on the final chorus and a short outro vamp to fade, breathtaking, blues