Blind Horizon- Written by Glenn Woodhouse © 2010
The back story: "Blind Horizon" is a "life is a river" metaphor tune drawing from my white water river running experience and rolling in the Snake River and Hell's Canyon for some local appeal. The term "Blind Horizon" as it applies to white water, refers to the lack of visibility when approaching a rapid with a steep drop.
Metaphorically speaking, this song speaks to the surprises life can throw at us, how out of control it can leave us feeling, but you have no choice but to ride it out. I always liked the term "Blind Horizon" and felt it had an ominous yet bluesy connotation (Blind Lemon Jefferson, the great blues song "I'd Rather Go Blind" made famous by Etta James, etc.).
Some of the mental imagery I had while writing this tune included my first trip down Hell's Canyon. We had just moved to Boise from the Seattle area and the husband of a new friend/co-worker of my wife's invited us on their trip. I was very pleased to be accepted into a new circle of river runners so quickly. When we arrived at Hell's Canyon dam I realized I was the only raft to support six kayakers plus my wife. By the time all of their gear was loaded onto my raft there was no room for Debbie! She had to paddle an inflatable kayak with her co-worker (but not really friend at that moment!). Pushing off with an overloaded raft at high flows, as the song says, "there was no turning back"...... Debbie spent the next three days swimming the better part of Hell's Canyon. Despite the surprises, turmoil, and big water it was still a great trip. Saw some new country, caught some big trout, and got a great jet boat ride back up the big rapids we ran down for a whole other twist on river running.
The harmonica instrumentals are intended to give a topsy turvy out-of-control dramatic feel with a few surprises much like that first trip down Hell's Canyon. Although relatively new to the chromatic harmonica, I really wanted to work it into the CD. It was the process of learning to play minor blues/jazz on the chromatic that finally produced the feel and concepts for the music in this song which released the lyrics that were already in my subconscious just waiting for the right moment to emerge.
The back story: "Blind Horizon" is a "life is a river" metaphor tune drawing from my white water river running experience and rolling in the Snake River and Hell's Canyon for some local appeal. The term "Blind Horizon" as it applies to white water, refers to the lack of visibility when approaching a rapid with a steep drop.
Metaphorically speaking, this song speaks to the surprises life can throw at us, how out of control it can leave us feeling, but you have no choice but to ride it out. I always liked the term "Blind Horizon" and felt it had an ominous yet bluesy connotation (Blind Lemon Jefferson, the great blues song "I'd Rather Go Blind" made famous by Etta James, etc.).
Some of the mental imagery I had while writing this tune included my first trip down Hell's Canyon. We had just moved to Boise from the Seattle area and the husband of a new friend/co-worker of my wife's invited us on their trip. I was very pleased to be accepted into a new circle of river runners so quickly. When we arrived at Hell's Canyon dam I realized I was the only raft to support six kayakers plus my wife. By the time all of their gear was loaded onto my raft there was no room for Debbie! She had to paddle an inflatable kayak with her co-worker (but not really friend at that moment!). Pushing off with an overloaded raft at high flows, as the song says, "there was no turning back"...... Debbie spent the next three days swimming the better part of Hell's Canyon. Despite the surprises, turmoil, and big water it was still a great trip. Saw some new country, caught some big trout, and got a great jet boat ride back up the big rapids we ran down for a whole other twist on river running.
The harmonica instrumentals are intended to give a topsy turvy out-of-control dramatic feel with a few surprises much like that first trip down Hell's Canyon. Although relatively new to the chromatic harmonica, I really wanted to work it into the CD. It was the process of learning to play minor blues/jazz on the chromatic that finally produced the feel and concepts for the music in this song which released the lyrics that were already in my subconscious just waiting for the right moment to emerge.
Blind Horizon - Lyrics
Can hear the water's roar, I can't see the line
Can hear the water's roar, I can't see the line
It's a blind horizon, Lord give me a sign
That blind horizon, what lies in store for me
That blind horizon, what lies in store for me
I can't see what's coming til, it washes over me
That mean ol' Snake, it twists and turns and rolls
That mean ol' Snake, it twists and turns and rolls
What's around the corner, only the devil knows
There's no turning back, girl we're out of time
There's no turning back, girl we're out of time
I can't see my way, I'll have to run it blind
That mean ol' Snake, it twists and turns and rolls
That mean ol' Snake, it twists and turns and rolls
What's around the corner, only the devil knows
Only the devil knows girl, only the devil knows
That blind horizon, only the devil knows
What's down Hell's Canyon, only the devil knows
Can hear the water's roar, I can't see the line
Can hear the water's roar, I can't see the line
It's a blind horizon, Lord give me a sign
That blind horizon, what lies in store for me
That blind horizon, what lies in store for me
I can't see what's coming til, it washes over me
That mean ol' Snake, it twists and turns and rolls
That mean ol' Snake, it twists and turns and rolls
What's around the corner, only the devil knows
There's no turning back, girl we're out of time
There's no turning back, girl we're out of time
I can't see my way, I'll have to run it blind
That mean ol' Snake, it twists and turns and rolls
That mean ol' Snake, it twists and turns and rolls
What's around the corner, only the devil knows
Only the devil knows girl, only the devil knows
That blind horizon, only the devil knows
What's down Hell's Canyon, only the devil knows