Story Behind The Song

This song was conceived and written during the Southern California wildfires of Fall, 2003 while bodysurfing. The sun was an orange blob through the smoke and five yards offshore it felt like we were the only people on earth. There were ashes falling from the sky and we knew that So. Cal. is a special place due, in no small part, to the hiolls being ablaze every year.

Song Description

It's a straight-up country song because it's about the country - not the U.S. really, but the land itself. Lyrically this song depicts the feelings of anxiety, excitement and the joy of being amid a natural disaster. In particular we are talking about the wildfires that happen annually in Southern California and the annual ritual of living through fire season.

Lyrics

TITLE: When the Hills Are A'Blaze

VERSE:
When the hills are ablaze the sun turns bloody and the ashes fall like a crime
O' the colors they bear make us stop and stare
How I long for that time
We stand at the tide and the waves abide and we ride 'til we're lost in the haze
Bringing pain on the land
we strike up the band when the southland hills are ablaze

VERSE 2:
When nothing is clear all you hold close as you're touched by the fragrance of fire
Makes you lift up your head, pray for the dead
and laugh in the face of desire
Of the passion that kills and heads for the hills
Leaving a path of remorse and praise
Hallelu, Hallelula what more can you do
When the southland hills are ablaze

VERSE 3:
When the hills are ablaze the city goes quiet and the beaches holler and drone
O' we splash and we play like any other day
And lord, we feel so alone
Let's gather 'round and make a joyous sound
Firmly bound in our ways
We'll rule the earth 'til the moment of our birth
When the southland hills are ablaze