This is one of those epic songs that captured a turning point in my life. I wrote it on my birthday twelve years ago, during a time when I was living on the beach in Baja, Mexico, outside of Todos Santos, doing a month-long yoga teacher training. I slept in a tent to the sound of the ocean.
I haven't played it for a long while, but figured I'd bring it out, dust it off, and record it. In a way, this song is something of a lullaby, sweet and peaceful. That one summer, when I wrote this, I played this song over, and over, and over again, walking on the sand by the sea.
I did actually get down on my knees in the middle of a dirt road to scrawl in my notebook when the lyrics were downloading themselves. It was an all-consuming creation. I even ditched yoga class. ;)
This is about unconditional love—about a love that is free, without expectation—and about self-transformation.
Surrender to the Fire
Why do I want, need, yearn? If I am to learn
I’m going to have to let go. Oh…
In the vastness of my mind, I try not to think and find
But there’s so much I want to know.
In the ocean of your eyes
There’s no need, and no lies
No kiss, no wish, just bliss
And I don’t have much experience with this
I’m bigger than this body, greater than this confusion
And in my mind I see past these illusions
But as these feelings rise I look away from your eyes
Torn between silence and too many whys.
In the brightness of your smile
There’s no space for secrets of denial
I’m trying to touch without lust
Deeper into the depths of trust
If I am to truly care for you I must share you
It’s new to be separate and still there with you
With this song escaping from my mind and heart
The moment fades away and I don’t know where to start
In the warmth of your light
I find myself trying to fight
The patterns I’ve followed all these years
Pushing myself through fears
It’s hard to let go of the feeling of uniqueness
I’ve held on so long that I feel like I need this
Mind spinning so fast I can’t do what you ask
Waves crashing in my heart as I ignore my task
Bring it back, bring it back, bring it back
Before I wander too far off track
On my knees in the middle of the road
Shedding words to lighten my load
I don’t have to look around for you I’ve already found you
You’re this love in my heart—I’m surrounded by you
Between moments of despair and elation
I resonate with this vibration
In the ocean of your eyes
I am stripped of my disguise
Through the pull and push in my chest
I’m inspired to do my best
It all comes down to unconditional love
Blending truths and inspirations from above
Beyond this nagging insecurity
Is the strength of honesty and purity
Devotion without obsession
I can cherish you without expectation
Service without selfish motivation
Compassion bringing blessed elevation
I am moved by your focused attention
Love without attachment or possession
And as I find myself moving higher
I surrender to the fire
Original songwriting by Katrina Ariel
“I would offer you my pulse, I would give you my breath.” — Ani DiFranco
Listen on Choon
Would you believe this is the edited version, minus a few verses? Epic song. The epicest.
And the last part, the "I would offer you my pulse," bit? That's from an Ani DiFranco song. Makes me melt every single time.
Thanks for listening!
Whatever happens, keep singing your song!
Peace. @katrina-ariel
Photos mine unless otherwise credited.
Author bio: Katrina Ariel is an old-soul rebel, musician, tree-hugging yogini, and mama bear to twins. Author of Yoga for Dragon Riders (non-fiction) and Wild Horse Heart (romance), she's another free-spirit swimming in the ocean of Steem.
dragon art: Liiga Smilshkalne
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I don't have a chance to listen to the music right now as I'm sitting on the floor of the toddler's room hoping she will drop off soon... sometime in the next few hours would be nice....
... but I was just writing to say how interesting the juxtaposition of the photo (water) and the fire lyrics was!
Yes, I thought about that... But the water is about to engulf me in the photo, not unlike the fire in the song, and it was written on a beach, so... ;) It's the best picture I had to represent surrender. I hope your little one took a nap and you got some down time yourself.
I hope the after shot isn't of you washed overboard off the rock!
When I went to Greece 10 years ago, we lived on the beach for a while, my body transformed from the activity, the sun and waves. It was an amazing experience, I always think of redoing with the kids once :)
I don't have the right words to express what I feel about your song, it reminds me of Kate Bush, I love the modulation (the change of key, it feels like it changed).
I am curious, did you re-record it?
I recorded this tonight. It's my first attempt of getting a multi-take song going, and it's definitely not perfect. Might re-record it one day. For now, this is what I've got. lol!
That trip to Greece sounds amazing. Yes, that would be fun with kids, lots more work, but definitely fun. :)
I think it sounds perfect, and your audio is clean !
Well done :)
Yeah I've always dreamed of going on an adventure with the little ones, camping, learning about the plants and animals... Lot's of work indeed, but totally worth it. It's safe to say that we're both not the type to go to Ibiza for vacation....( though why not without the kids and a bunch of friends)
Totally worth it. We spent a week in our tent trailer on a lake with our boys this summer. I love sharing time in nature with them.
And thank you! I'm so glad you think it sounds good! Yay!
Sounds perfect!!! I would obviously wanna document/blog about it with multiple cameras angles and drone video shooting :P
Sounds even more perfect than you think it does!!!
You're making this way too complicated. ;)
God, I hope so. I hear every little imperfection. lol!
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Merry Christmas, Bernie.
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Sounds like a song would hear in an interlude when a Story teller tells a story.
Listened on Choon
Oooooh! I'm a bard now, eh? ;) It is a story, this song... There's a lot to it. I can imagine myself there when I sing it.
Awesome, both the song and the story of how you wrote it on a beach while doing Yoga. I’m not sure about sleeping near the sea though, I’d always worry about crabs nipping me!
#thealliance #witness
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lol! The tent was zipped up. ;) I don't remember seeing crabs there, actually, but we were warned about scorpions... that probably doesn't make you feel better. Glad you enjoyed the song. ;)
WOW... Just amazing ❤️👏🤗
Your voice is beautiful and the lyrics are as always words that is so real.
I love the way you recorded it and I could almost hear the waves behind it 😊
The beach is such a peaceful place and I can understand that you stayed in tent a while... Close to nature and healing 😊
So Mexico ey? You have been in many places..lol
Love the story behind this song and thank you for sharing this with us 😍😙
MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎄🎅🎁❤️ love you!
Love you too, Sass! Thanks for all your encouragement and kindness. I'm so glad you enjoyed this song. Yes, living on the beach for that month was heaven. Cold in the morning, but I still miss the sound of the ocean singing me to sleep.
I love this piece, @katrina-ariel. It's breathtaking! It must have been amazing living on Cabo for a while. I love that place. It has probably gotten overpopulated since I was there many years ago with a student group.
Thank you! I really appreciate you taking time to listen. :)
I like the way this song changes keys with each verse to keep it versatile and great voice/harmonies going on throughout. Beautiful work and powerful words too :)
Thank you! It's a fun one to sing. I appreciate the listen and kind comment! :)
I love this. So much. Thank you for sharing it.