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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Original Post - Apr 11, 2009 - 04:15pm PT
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Lots of songs mention or allude to climbing. What are some of your favorites?
Fearless from Pink Floyd's Meddle.
You say the hill's too steep to climb
Climb it.
You say you'd like to see me try
Climbing.
You pick the place and I'll choose the time
And I'll climb
That hill in my own way.
Just wait a while for the right day.
And as I rise above the tree lines and the clouds
I look down, hearing the sound of the things you've said today.
Fearlessly the idiot faced the crowd
Smiling.
Merciless the magistrate turns 'round
Frowning.
And who's the fool who wears the crown?
And go down,
in your own way
And every day is the right day
And as you rise above the fear-lines in his brow
You look down, hearing the sound of the faces in the crowd.
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Rudyj2
Trad climber
UT
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Apr 11, 2009 - 04:20pm PT
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You pick the place and I'll choose the time
And I'll climb
That hill in my own way.
Just wait a while for the right day.
Love that song, especially that part. Hard to find a better song about climbing.
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Apr 11, 2009 - 04:24pm PT
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We'll be leaving this town in the morning
Tommorrow we'll be able to see
I've had me enough of this city
And she's had enough out of me
Say if I climbed to the mountains
Would you still follow me there
Steal me away in an echo
The mountains will always be there
I'm turning my sights on the country
Sold everything that I own
I'm heading away from the bright lights
Looking for where the wind blows
Say if I climbed to the mountains
Would you still follow me there
Steal me away in an echo
The mountains will always be there
The Ballad of the Beacon
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Nohea
Trad climber
Aiea,Hi
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Apr 11, 2009 - 04:26pm PT
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i got OW on my ipod and i think everything i heard from him is on climbing. he is on this board....OW where are you?
and that is my favorite
aloha,
wil
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drljefe
climber
Old Pueblo, AZ
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Apr 11, 2009 - 04:30pm PT
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some climb...to get to terrapin!
Cool topic SG.
This one always held climbing connotations for me,
"Rift" by Phish
Last night, in the moments my thoughts were adrift
And coasting a terrace, approaching a rift
Through which I could spy several glimpses beneath
Of the darkness the light from above could not reach
I spied wings of reason, herself taking flight
And upon yonder precipice saw her alight
And glared back at me one last look of dismay
As if she were the last one she thought I'd betray
So much better I said to myself
And drawing quite close to the top of the shelf
I struggled with destiny upon the ledge
And gasped when defeated he slipped off the edge
And silence contagious in moments like these
Consumed me and strengthened my will to appease
The passion that sparked me one terrible night
And shocked and persuaded my soul to ignite
So much better I said to myself
And drawing quite close to the top of the shelf
I struggled with destiny upon the ledge
And gasped when defeated he slipped off the edge
And silence contagious in moments like these
Consume me and strengthen my will to appease
The passion that sparked me one terrible night
(And shocked and persuaded my soul to ignite)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1FgbZTmA-Q
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Rudyj2
Trad climber
UT
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Apr 11, 2009 - 04:50pm PT
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Not one of my favorites. A little to literal for my tastes, but it fits.
"The Climb" by No Doubt
Step by step
I've come closer to reaching the top
Every step must be placed so that I don't fall off
Looking down to see about how much higher I am
Another cool wind comes through and brushes my skin
The harder I push the tension does grow
I gather my thoughts the further and further I go
With some luck I just might keep on climbing
So better to climb than to face a fall
So high the climb
Can't turn back now
Must keep on climbing up to the clouds
So high the climb Can't turn back now
Must keep on climbing up to the clouds
Pulling myself up by a rope
I better my view
The only thing in sight is what I must do
As I turned I could see myself falling
Which in return save me strength for the climb
So high the climb
Can't turn back now
Must keep on climbing up to the clouds
So high the climb
Can't turn back now
Must keep on climbing up to the clouds
Although many failed I must now prevail with no question
Have no time to stop
Onward to the top of the mountain
And I can't turn back now
Its so very high but I can't turn back now
If I keep it up, I'm gonna make it
I'm so very close can't you see
So high the climb
Can't turn back now
Must keep on climbing up to the clouds
So high the climb
Can't turn back now
Must keep on climbing up to the clouds
I'm getting closer
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Evel
Trad climber
Nederland
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Apr 11, 2009 - 05:06pm PT
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I'll sing ya the story
of Betsy from pike
She climbed the Big mountain
with her lover Ike
With a rope made of nylon
and a handful of slings
6 rusty pitons
and a can of sardines
Say goodbye to the valley
the valley so fair
they climbed the big mountain
because it is there
Ike surveyed the mountain
and quickly picked out
the most terrifying
precipitous route
they got up three pitches
and the holds went to seed
Ike said "Betsy m'darlin
would you like to lead"..
(chorus)
Well she led like an angel
up onto the face
while Ike stood admirin
her form and her grace...
She reached for a handhold
but the handhold let go
and she raced with the handhold
to the valley below
(chorus)
well she came to a halt
with the greatest of ease
all tangled up
in a clump of small trees
Ike called out to Betsy
so young and so fair
"The language yer usin'
is curlin my hair"
(chorus)
that night they bivouaced
high on a ledge
their backs to the wall
and their feets to the edge
Ike said "Betsy for a night with you
long I have pined
But this wasn't really
what I had in mind"...
(chorus)
next morning the rock
looked so blank and
so bare.
Ike wondered what they
were doin' up there
"let's go up the back way
it's only class 2"
says Betsy "you'll go by yourself if ya do"...
(chorus)
so they went up a chimney
with breath-taking pace
and when it ran out they
moved onto the face
with laybacks
and jamcracks
and a mantle besides
till they stood on the summit
and cursed at the guide
(chorus)
now there is no moral
to this little song
it's one doubtful value
is that it's too long....
for this song was written
just to kill time
on a five hour drive
to a two hour climb
author unknown, but one of my campfire faves
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steelmnkey
climber
Vision man...ya gotta have vision...
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Apr 11, 2009 - 05:11pm PT
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Pink Floyd, High Hopes...
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At a higher altitude with flag unfurled
We reached the dizzy heights of that dreamed of world
Encumbered forever by desire and ambition
There's a hunger still unsatisfied
Our weary eyes still stray to the horizon
Though down this road we've been so many times
...
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climbhigh
Trad climber
western slope Co.
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Apr 11, 2009 - 05:19pm PT
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Get up Stand up! Bob Marley
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Ropeboy
Trad climber
Fresno CA
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Apr 11, 2009 - 05:37pm PT
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I posted this before on the taco but it fits in well with the thread. This song was hand copied from table to table in camp 4, and was written by a brit.
MORE WATER - Rob Wood
sung to "The Streets of Laredo" Sept 1970
As we were a-boozing in camp 4 one evening,
As we were a-boozing in camp 4 one day,
We heard to our horror, the croaks of a climber,
More water, more water, were the words he did say.
When the rangers they heard of a potential disaster,
They went to their files and they pulled out a card.
And to our amazement the name of the climber
Was our old mate Brian, t'was Brian so hard.
After three days of climbing , they'ed run short of water,
For this is all that they thought they would need,
Up the Nose they had started with only three gallons,
To climb it, said Brian, I'll climb it with speed.
A Rescue, A Rescue, were the words of the Rangers,
The climbers they lined up to ask what the fee,
Seven dollars an hour if you are well known,
If not , we must ask you to do it for free.
But the law said only ten men on the rescue,
And sweet Bev, she said, I want to go too,
Seven dollars an hour for maid's liberation,
For Brian the chance of a bloody good screw.
The chopper it started at seven in the morning,
Jim Bridwell was there to tell what to do,
For ten dollars an hour I'll rappel down the wall,
Seven dollars an hour for the rest of my crew.
Old Bridwell on a cable to Camp 6 was lowered,
To Brian and Kelly some water to bring,
While down in the Valley many tourists did gather,
And we ran to the phone, Ken Wilson to ring.
Such a scandal, such a scandal, will be the next headlines,
Just what I needed to make some good news,
First El Cap British rescue, he duely reported,
News that will surely bring grins from Creag Dubhs.
You may have your hammock and harness to help you,
You may have your license in Boulder to guide,
But if you're on El Cap without any water,
Just think yourself lucky that you haven't died.
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yo
climber
I drink your milkshake!
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Apr 11, 2009 - 05:40pm PT
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Fire Coming Out of a Monkey's Head - Gorillaz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sd_ZyLqTd-Q
I listen to this one all the time. It's got half a thousand parallels to climbing - even the tool!
Once upon a time at the foot of a great mountain, there was a town where the people known as Happyfolk lived, their very existence a mystery to the rest of the world, obscured as it was by great clouds. Here they played out their peaceful lives, innocent of the litany of excess and violence that was growing in the world below. To live in harmony with the spirit of the mountain called Monkey was enough. Then one day Strangefolk arrived in the town. They came in camouflage, hidden behind dark glasses, but no one noticed them: they only saw shadows. You see, without the Truth of the Eyes, the Happyfolk were blind.
Falling out of aeroplanes and hiding out in holes
Waiting for the sunset to come, people growing old
Jump back from behind them and shoot them in the head
Now everybody dancing the dance of the dead,
the dance of the dead,
the dance of the dead
In time, Strangefolk found their way into the higher reaches of the mountain, and it was there that they found the caves of unimaginable Sincerity and Beauty. By chance, they stumbled upon the Place Where All Good Souls Come to Rest. The Strangefolk, they coveted the jewels in these caves above all things, and soon they began to mine the mountain, its rich seam fueling the chaos of their own world. Meanwhile, down in the town, the Happyfolk slept restlessly, their dreams invaded by shadowy figures digging away at their souls. Every day, people would wake and stare at the mountain. Why was it bringing darkness into their lives? And as the Strangefolk mined deeper and deeper into the mountain, holes began to appear, bringing with them a cold and bitter wind that chilled the very soul of the Monkey. For the first time, the Happyfolk felt fearful for they knew that soon the Monkey would soon stir from its deep sleep. And then came a sound. Distant first, it grew into castrophany so immense it could be heard far away in space. There were no screams. There was no time. The mountain called Monkey had spoken. There was only fire. And then, nothing.
O little town in U.S.A, your time has come to see
There's nothing you believe you want
But where were you when it all came down on me?
Did you call me now?
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Sherri
climber
WA
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Apr 11, 2009 - 05:54pm PT
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One of my faves, Solsbury Hill by Peter Gabriel. Plenty of climbs have made my heart go boom boom boom....
Climbing up on solsbury hill
I could see the city light
Wind was blowing, time stood still
Eagle flew out of the night
He was something to observe
Came in close, I heard a voice
Standing stretching every nerve
I had to listen had no choice
I did not believe the information
Just had to trust imagination
My heart was going boom boom, boom
Son, he said, grab your things, Ive come to take you home.
To keeping silence I resigned
My friends would think I was a nut
Turning water into wine
Open doors would soon be shut
So I went from day to day
Tho my life was in a rut
till I thought of what Id say
Which connection I should cut
I was feeling part of the scenery
I walked right out of the machinery
My heart was going boom boom boom
Hey, he said, grab your things, Ive come to take you home.
Yeah back home
When illusion spin her net
Im never where I want to be
And liberty she pirouette
When I think that I am free
Watched by empty silhouettes
Who close their eyes, but still can see
No one taught them etiquette
I will show another me
Today I dont need a replacement
Ill tell them what the smile on my face meant
My heart was going boom boom boom
Hey, I said, you can keep my things, theyve come to take me home.
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Domingo
Trad climber
El Portal, CA
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Apr 11, 2009 - 06:33pm PT
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Kashmir - Led Zeppelin. It goes through my head when I'm climbing, and I listen to it whenever I'm driving six hours for a weekend warrior climbing trip. I've definitely convinced myself the song is about climbing.
Oh let the sun beat down upon my face, stars to fill my dream
I am a traveler of both time and space, to be where I have been
To sit with elders of the gentle race, this world has seldom seen
They talk of days for which they sit and wait and all will be revealed
Oh, father of the four winds, fill my sails, across the sea of years
With no provision but an open face, along the straits of fear
Ohh. Oh, oh.
Oh, I been flying... mama, there ain't no denyin'
I've been flying, ain't no denyin', no denyin'
All I see turns to brown, as the sun burns the ground
And my eyes fill with sand, as I scan this wasted land
Trying to find, trying to find where I've been.
Oh pilot of the storm who leaves no trace, like thoughts inside a dream
Heed the path that led me to that place, yellow desert stream
My Shangri-La beneath the summer moon, I will return again
Sure as the dust that floats high in June, when movin' through
Kashmir.
Talk and song from tongues of lilting grace, whose sounds caress my ear
But not a word I heard could I relate, the story was quite clear
When I'm on, when I'm on my way, yeah
When I see, when I see the way, you stay-yeah
Ooh, yeah-yeah, ooh, yeah-yeah, when I'm down...
Ooh, yeah-yeah, ooh, yeah-yeah, well I'm down, so down
Ooh, my baby, oooh, my baby, let me take you there
Let me take you there. Let me take you there
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ec
climber
ca
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Apr 11, 2009 - 07:39pm PT
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a guide's tune...
UP HIGH (to the tune of “Raw Hide”)
CLIMBIN’, CLIMBIN’, CLIMBIN’, CLIMBIN’, CLIMBIN’, CLIMBIN’,
UP HIGH.
ROLLIN’, ROLLIN’, ROLLIN’,
THOUGH THE STREAMS ARE SWOLLEN,
KEEP THOSE CLIENTS GOIN’, UP HIGH.
RAIN AND WIND AND WEATHER,
HELL BENT FOREVER,
WISHIN’ MY GAL WAS BY MY SIDE.
ALL THE THINGS I’M MISSIN’,
GOOD VITTLES LOVE AND KISSIN’,
ARE WAITING AT THE END OF MY CLIMB.
MOVE ‘EM ON, HEAD ‘EM UP, HEAD ‘EM ON, MOVE ‘EM UP, MOVE ‘EM ON, HEAD ‘EM UP. UP HIGH.
CLIP ‘EM OUT, TIE ‘EM IN, TIE ‘EM OUT, CLIP ‘EM IN, CLIP ‘EM OUT, TIE ‘EM IN. UP HIGH.
KEEP MOVIN’, MOVIN’, MOVIN’,
KNOW THEY’RE DISAPPROVIN’,
KEEP THOSE CLIENTS MOVIN’, UP HIGH.
DON’T TRY TO UNDERSTAND THEM,
JUST SHORT ROPE AND COMMAND THEM,
SOON WE’LL BE STEPPIN’ HIGH AND WIDE.
MY HEART’S CALCULATIN’,
THAT FLAT GOUND WILL BE WAITIN’,
BE WAITIN’ AT THE END OF THE CLIMB.
MOVE ‘EM ON, HEAD ‘EM UP, HEAD ‘EM ON, MOVE ‘EM UP, MOVE ‘EM ON, HEAD ‘EM UP. UP HIGH.
CLIP ‘EM OUT, TIE ‘EM IN, TIE ‘EM OUT, CLIP ‘EM IN, CLIP ‘EM OUT, TIE ‘EM IN. UP HIGH.
MOVE ‘EM ON, HEAD ‘EM UP, HEAD ‘EM ON, MOVE ‘EM UP, MOVE ‘EM ON, HEAD ‘EM UP. UP HIGH.
CLIP ‘EM OUT, TIE ‘EM IN, TIE ‘EM OUT, CLIP ‘EM IN, CLIP ‘EM OUT, TIE ‘EM IN. UP HIGH.
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Apr 11, 2009 - 07:46pm PT
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Jackie Wilson's Motown hit "Higher and Higher"!
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scooter
climber
fist clamp
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Apr 11, 2009 - 07:46pm PT
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Bjork, Hyperballad.
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Steve Grossman
Trad climber
Seattle, WA
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 11, 2009 - 10:43pm PT
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The Yes album Close to the Edge had a very cool bit of climbing artwork inside and a lengthy climbing song in the title track.
I. The Solid Time Of Change
(Anderson/Howe)
A seasoned witch could call you from the depths of your disgrace,
And rearrange your liver to the solid mental grace,
And achieve it all with music that came quickly from afar,
Then taste the fruit of man recorded losing all against the hour.
And assessing points to nowhere, leading ev'ry single one.
A dewdrop can exalt us like the music of the sun,
And take away the plain in which we move,
And choose the course you're running.
Down at the edge, round by the corner,
Not right away, not right away.
Close to the edge, down by a river,
Not right away, not right away.
Crossed the line around the changes of the summer,
Reaching out to call the color of the sky.
Passed around a moment clothed in mornings faster than we see.
Getting over all the time I had to worry,
Leaving all the changes far from far behind.
We relieve the tension only to find out the master's name.
Down at the end, round by the corner.
Close to the edge, just by a river.
Seasons will pass you by.
I get up, I get down.
Now that it's all over and done,
Now that you find, now that you're whole.
II. Total Mass Retain
(Anderson/Squire)
My eyes convinced, eclipsed with the younger moon attained with love.
It changed as almost strained amidst clear manna from above.
I crucified my hate and held the word within my hand.
There's you, the time, the logic, or the reasons we don't understand.
Sad courage claimed the victims standing still for all to see,
As armoured movers took approached to overlook the sea.
There since the cord, the license, or the reasons we understood will be.
Down at the edge, close by a river.
Close to the edge, round by the corner.
Close to the end, down by the corner.
Down at the edge, round by the river.
Sudden problems shouldn't take away the startled memory.
All in all, the journey takes you all the way.
As apart from any reality that you've ever seen and known.
Guessing problems only to deceive the mention,
Passing paths that climb halfway into the void.
As we cross from side to side, we hear the total mass retain.
Down at the edge, round by the corner.
Close to the end, down by a river.
Seasons will pass you by.
I get up, I get down.
III. I Get Up, I Get Down
(Anderson/Howe)
In her white lace, you could clearly see the lady sadly looking.
Saying that she'd take the blame
For the crucifixion of her own domain. I get up,
I get down,
I get up,
I get down.
Two million people barely satisfy.
Two hundred women watch one woman cry, too late.
The eyes of honesty can achieve.
How many millions do we deceive each day?
I get up, I get down.
I get up, I get down.
In charge of who is there in charge of me.
Do I look on blindly and say I see the way?
The truth is written all along the page.
How old will I be before I come of age for you?
I get up, I get down.
I get up, I get down.
I get up, I get down.
IV. Seasons Of Man
(Anderson/Howe)
The time between the notes relates the color to the scenes.
A constant vogue of triumphs dislocate man, it seems.
And space between the focus shape ascend knowledge of love.
As song and chance develop time, lost social temp'rance rules above.
Ah, ah.
Then according to the man who showed his outstretched arm to space,
He turned around and pointed, revealing all the human race.
I shook my head and smiled a whisper, knowing all about the place.
On the hill we viewed the silence of the valley,
Called to witness cycles only of the past.
And we reach all this with movements in between the said remark.
Close to the edge, down by the river.
Down at the end, round by the corner.
Seasons will pass you by,
Now that it's all over and done,
Called to the seed, right to the sun.
Now that you find, now that you're whole.
Seasons will pass you by,
I get up, I get down.
I get up, I get down.
I get up, I get down.
I get up.
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72hw
Trad climber
Pasadena, CA
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Apr 12, 2009 - 12:25am PT
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Not even sure what the F this means, but it is by Modest Mouse and I like singing it when I am getting gripped...
Although we often wondered
It was no thing of wonder
The sh#t that flew from our minds
While wearing stains of fresh fruit
And riding on shoes of horse glue
On this ridiculous climb
With great tunnel vision
We built ourselves a mission
To ride our motives design
Oh, what a vague description
Of what we have been missing
So why would anyone try?
Seems pretty appropriate to me at least!
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