Inspired by Death Valley National Park, January 2016
While hiking in Golden Canyon in Death Valley National Park, I found myself questioning why my introspective thoughts were self-critical when surrounded by magnificent landscapes.
NPT011: “Valley of Death”
Demos
01/20/2016
I recorded this initial demo with very little instrumentation. Before recording I kind of imagined some simple guitar work over this but we’ll see. The “Oh dawn” lines weren’t in the original lyrics from the hike but I felt like I needed something with a different feeling in those spots and they just came out naturally when I was recording.
Lyrics
“Valley of Death”
Written by Kendall Bruns
[Verse 1]
As I walk through the valley of death
I think about my life
All the times I’ve let the worst take hold of me
All the struggle and all the strife
And the times that I could see
Disappointment in the eyes of my love
But why does the dark take hold
When I slow down and I can breathe
Why must I trouble my weary mind with these
Carefully chosen sins
That only now I can clearly see
Even though there’s a lot that’s not cruel inside of me
[Chorus]
Oh dawn, rise on
I’ll keep walking
‘Til I’m gone, ’til I’m gone, ’til I’m gone
[Verse 2]
A little lizard paused and looked at me
We both stood silent, still and free
Of the troubles, the trials, and worries of the day
The lizard didn’t say a word
But I listened to hear her say
Chin up, enjoy this special desert day
[Chorus]
Oh dawn, rise on
I’ll keep walking
‘Til I’m gone, ’til I’m gone, ’til I’m gone
[Verse 3]
So I’m walking in the valley of life
Thinking of how I will say
I love you and should have never went away
Love please come back to me
Forgive my sins today
In the past and the future let the good times lead the way
[Chorus]
Oh dawn, rise on
I’ll keep walking
‘Til I’m gone, ’til I’m gone, ’til I’m gone
[Outro]
‘Til I’m gone, ’til I’m gone, ’til I’m gone
Field Recordings
01/09/2016
I was hiking along the Golden Canyon trail when I first started thinking of a melody for “Valley of Death”. It started as one line and some whistling.
As I continued that hike I started writing additional lyrics.
Valley of Death 01 [1:30]
Valley of Death 02 [1:40]
Valley of Death 03 [1:28]
I knew generally where I wanted the song to go but I was a little stuck after this part. I was resting for a moment and I saw a lizard run under a rock which was a rare sign of life in this area.
Valley of Death 04 [2:43]
I realized that I wanted the “clap” on the third beat but I was having trouble hiking, clapping, and remembering the new lyrics all at once (05) so I also made just a tempo/rhythm reference (06) but at the beginning it was in my pocket and that didn’t work so well.
Valley of Death 05 [2:06]
Valley of Death 06 [1:03]
