Stellar Sounds- White shores, TSSF

The opening sound is like an ethereal calling, as if calling through the galaxies to his father. The song starts off quietly, respecting what has been lost, Parker’s father. The voice of the acoustic guitar strums to signify a peaceful departure from this world. I envision a campfire and as Parker sings into the empty void, “How can I afford the cost?” I envision the sparks from the campfire swirling into the air and mingling with the stars.

The opening line suggests that Parker can never recuperate the loss that has been taken from him. As he is “poor” in building new memories with his father. The sense of poverty is felt by the backing track, where there are minimal guitars and reduction in heavy sounds, an almost whisper-song voice from Parker is heard. This contributes to the reverent atmosphere of the song. As the song progresses, the song builds up in loudness and emotion. It’s like throughout the song, Parker goes through the stages of grief from acceptance to frustration and then closure.

Parker attributes his life to his father, “Now I have this life because of you.” This gives a sense of meaning and purpose to his life. I’ll admit that I have had my thoughts say to me, “I wish I had never been born,” and have blamed my parents for placing me here. I have to learn the test of living through this life and find my own purpose. I think in this instance, Parker is honouring his father’s passing by making his life’s purpose as building upon his father’s legacy. 

I saw that “white shores” was the vision that Gandalf described to Pipin as the next journey after death from Lord of the Rings. Gandalf says, “White shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise.” Parker suggests that his father has been transported to another journey. One that is pure, clean and refreshing, with the swift sunrise signifying a new day.

This year, someone from our close circle passed away. This song came out during the same time of his passing. I think it was heaven’s plan to have small coincidences like these happen in daily life to serve as a reminder that the souls we have lost on this earth are on another journey, and also looking out for us. This song is a reminder to find a purpose in our existence after one’s passing. As after hearing the news of having someone who was close to you pass away, it can cause feelings of questioning our existence.  

Lyrics

How can I afford the cost?

I need every single part of you

How can I navigate the loss?

Now I have this life because of you

And when I leave, I'd call you

You'd tell me about all the things that I don't understand

And now the absent silence is deafening

You're not there to pull me back down from the ledge

How can I afford the cost?

I need every single part of you

How can I navigate the loss?

Now I have this life because of you

Separate from what I am

No one else could ever understand

I had the weapon in my hand

Could not escape it if I ran

Take me with you now

Beyond the veil on white shores

Now it's difficult to move

I can't help but think of where you are

And when I leave, I'd call you

You'd tell me about all the things that I don't understand

And now the absent silence is deafening

You're not there to pull me back down from the ledge

Take me with you now (and when I leave, I'd call you)

Beyond the veil on white shores (you'd tell me about all the things that I don't understand)

Now it's difficult to move (and now the absent silence is deafening)

I can't help but think of where you are

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Source: Musixmatch