Erskine says this song is about the completion of a labor of love. "That can be any work where you have to dig deeply into yourself to find what’s true and meaningful." He believes this soul-searching is necessary to bring great art to fruition. "It’s really about being afraid and uncertain and taking action anyway. The results of such risks are life’s best reward," he concludes.
First Light - Words and music by Tim Erskine
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Here in my head all my dreams have been caged
while all of my battles have been waged
Silence is the price I have paid for this war
but I won’t be mute anymore
And I’m standing here
upon the microbes in the soil
beneath the Virgo cluster and local galaxies
much closer to the ground than my star fantasies
but I couldn’t stop myself
This is my first light
I have grappled with the pains
and at long last
I’m here to claim my birthright
I put my arms out far and wide
and sing this song and verse
and add the small sound of my voice
to the chorus of the universe
Down in my shop, grinding glass, turning steel –
waiting for old wounds to heal
Fear of the test kept me holding my breath
I came within an inch of my death
Chorus
There are no roads
There are no roads
There are no roads
So I make my own road
I’ve been waiting
like a statue my whole life
for this unveiling
Take the gantry back
and clear the pad –
the starship is sailing
This is my first light
I have grappled with the pains
and at long last
I’m here to claim my birthright
I put my arms out far and wide
and sing this song and verse
and add the small sound of my voice
to the chorus of the universe
of all the voices in the universe
of all the voices in the universe
of all the voices singing throughout time
in all the universe
T.E. – Acoustic Guitar and Vocals
Michael Dowdle – Electric Guitar
Vince Frates – Piano
Gregg Bissonette – Drums
Matt Bissonette – Bass
Kelly Wallis – Percussion
Kelly Eisenhour – Backup Vocals
Strings Arranged by Vince Frates
The First Light Orchestra
