Medicine of Surrender

Depression is a heavy burden to live with. Whether you’re the one hauling, or you’re walking alongside a friend, family member or otherwise, it’s a load often invisible to the naked eye. That’s what the stigma around mental health in our society does, it encourages people to bury their pain.

The lyrics of the chorus come from a poem given to me by a friend when I (Aubrey) asked what offers her comfort when the darkness descends. Here is an excerpt, by Rumi:

Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing

there is a field. I’ll meet you there.

When the soul lies down in that grass,

the world is too full to talk about.

Ideas, language, even the phrase “each other”   

doesn’t make any sense…

The title was also a gift, twice gifted. One morning, I found an email in my inbox from Rosemary Wahtola Trommer, one of my favorite modern poets, in which she shared a poem she wrote following the prompt “Medicine of Surrender is…” This prompt had been given to her by yet another writer, Mirabai Starr. Though the prompt came to me after I had already begun writing the song, “Medicine of Surrender” clicked immediately as the perfect title. 

With the tune and lyrics intact, I took the idea to Craig and he made a masterful arrangement including a full drum set, rhythm guitar, electric bass and synth. Performing this with Scott, Kevin, and Joe’s singing fiddle addition was in itself an experience close to the stars.

It serves as a reminder of our capacity to inspire and co-create, even in our bleakest moments. I marvel at our capacity to feel many things at once.

listening notes

Opening as a stark and simple folk song, it doesn’t take long for this one to break into a touch of Nirvana. The rawness is its glory. Close your eyes as you listen. Let the music flow into, over and around you. Let the fire burn. Where does it go? To that field, full of stars? We hope to meet you there…

And if this finds you walking with depression personally or alongside another, seek and find the support you need. Don’t hold it in. Reach out.

"Medicine of Surrender" from Crooked Step, Open Gate

You can find the full album at Bandcamp starting June 6, 2025. All songs will follow on the streaming platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, etc), trickling out through the summer.