We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Closer to the Sun

from Closer to the Sun by Scott McKinstry

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $1 USD  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

about

This song began with another song about a father and his child. (It was about the dad encouraging his kid to do things he was too scared to do himself.)

Then I jotted down a quick poem about a few generations of men. How harsh words and anger got passed from generation to generation — but also how such a legacy was reshaped, improved, softened. That’s been my experience.

I lengthened the verses and added a chorus. The phrase “the apple falls close to the tree” came to my head as I was playing around with some chords. After that, the metaphor of a tree extending its branch to the sun followed naturally.

lyrics

My father's father's tongue was sharp
a twisted barb of rusted iron.
He tore my father's tender flesh
and laughed to watch him squirm.

My father smote that wicked blade
into a flat and shining rod.
He swung that rod when he feared
my ways would lead to harm.

The apple falls close to the tree
the tragic pull of gravity
but I know it can grow
a branch reaching closer to the sun.

Closer to the sun
closer to the sun

I wrapped that rod in a woolen weave
to spare my son's soft scalp.
But he still feels the sting of rage
when the iron presses out.

And if my son should have a son
I hope he leaves that rod behind.
And only speak soft words of love
to a new and innocent child.

The apple falls close to the tree
the tragic pull of gravity
but I know it can grow
a branch reaching closer to the sun.

Closer to the sun
closer to the sun

We all wanna grow closer to the sun
we want our kids to grow closer to the sun
we all wanna grow closer to the sun
we want our kids to grow

Closer to the sun
closer to the sun
closer to the sun

we all wanna grow
we all wanna grow
we want our kids to grow

closer to the sun

credits

from Closer to the Sun, released March 14, 2022

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Scott McKinstry image

Scott McKinstry Edmonds, Washington

Scott McKinstry is a singer-songwriter living in the Pacific Northwest.

Sign up to his twice-monthly newsletter at scottstoriesandsongs.com/get-the-latest/

contact / help

Contact Scott McKinstry

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

If you like Scott McKinstry, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featured guests are the golden-voiced Baby Rose and psyche soulsters Brainstory.
listen now