Johnson Slide
Navigating the Johnson Slide: A Tale of Survival and Redemption
Lyrics
Out past Kaslo on a steep Kootenay ridge
Describing a remote location near Kaslo on a steep Kootenay ridge.
Where the road runs out,
Referring to the end of a road, symbolizing a challenging, isolated place.
Where you gotta build your own bridge
Emphasizing the need to overcome obstacles and challenges independently.
Side stepping that switchback
Describing a maneuver to navigate difficult terrain, suggesting resilience.
So you can get around the snow
Dealing with hardships like snow, highlighting the harsh living conditions.
Where you live to survive
Survival is a primary focus in the depicted environment.
And there’s one thing you should know
Introducing a crucial piece of information or wisdom about the place.
That no matter where you came from
Emphasizing the universality of the experience, regardless of origin.
No matter you’ve been
Highlighting the commonality of diverse backgrounds.
The valley of the lost souls will take you in
Introducing the concept of the "valley of the lost souls" as an inclusive place.
Maybe it was the thunder or an old wolf cry
Suggesting possible reasons for arriving at this challenging place.
Maybe I was stubborn, maybe it was pride
Exploring personal qualities such as stubbornness or pride that may have led to this situation.
But it’s darker than a dead soul
Describing a very dark and challenging situation.
in the devil’s eye
Using vivid imagery to emphasize the difficulty of the circumstances.
Lying in the belly of the Johnson Slide
Locating the narrator in a dire situation referred to as the "Johnson Slide."
I made myself some paradise
Creating a personal refuge amidst the trees, away from external disturbances.
Up here in the trees
Expressing the idea of finding paradise in solitude.
Where I escaped everything
Escaping from external pressures and disturbances.
No one would bother me
Ensuring complete isolation for personal peace.
My peace was the silence
Identifying silence as a source of tranquility.
And my path it was true
Highlighting a path in life that was authentic and true.
It was the furthest I could
Indicating the extreme distance the narrator went to escape.
Go to get away from you
Expressing the inability to fully escape from someone or something.
But no matter what I wanted
Conveying desire or intent, regardless of obstacles.
No matter what I did
Stressing the inevitability of being drawn into the "valley of the lost souls."
The valley of the lost souls took me in
Maybe it was the thunder or an old wolf cry
Recalling the thunder or wolf cry, connecting it to the narrator's past choices.
Maybe I was stubborn, maybe it was pride
Reflecting on personal characteristics that may have influenced the current situation.
But it’s darker than the dead soul
Reiterating the extreme darkness of the situation, using vivid imagery.
in the devil’s eye
Emphasizing the challenging circumstances in the "Johnson Slide."
Lying in the belly of the Johnson Slide
I came here for beauty, I came here for grace
Expressing the initial reasons for coming to this challenging place.
I came for salvation to this innocent place
Stating the purpose of seeking beauty, grace, and salvation in an innocent place.
I learned to be strong, I learned to be brave
Highlighting personal growth and strength gained in this place.
I made this place my home
Affirming the transformation of the challenging place into a home.
But now it’s my grave
Concluding with a realization that the once sought-after place has become a grave.
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