Traveling Alone by Jason Isbell
Jason Isbell is from Green Hill, Alabama. My friend, Thanh, introduced me to him last year. Years ago, I used to say that I had no interest in country music. And now, there are some kinds of country music that seem to address the deepest parts of life. So I've opened myself up more to the lyrics in order to hear what people are trying to say about this life we live. A few years back, I went to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on my own and it was a magical moment where I was first introduced to songs like, 'Wayfaring Stranger.' I remember sitting there in the audience as a woman sang the song with just voice and guitar. I was in awe of the connection to faith and family that was caught up in one piece of music.
I appreciate Jason Isbell's story. I've read up on him a little bit, and just today, caught a New York Times article that spoke to how he sobered up recently because of his girlfriend at the time who is now his wife. Apparently, she helped get him to rehab. And when he came out of rehab, he created the album Southeastern. When people speak about the album, you hear words like 'intimate,' 'powerful, and 'beautifully stark.'
Think about it, all the things that we mask because of addiction, depression, and negative emotions can come out into the most stunning of pieces when we cleanse. And Amanda Shires, his wife, stuck with him throughout the challenging times. She saw something evolved in him that perhaps he couldn't quite yet see. That's a beautiful commitment. She loved him in spite of his flaws and helped him rise above them. 'Cover Me Up' is one of his songs about addiction, truly vulnerable.
I'm featuring Traveling Alone by Jason Isbell. The video includes Amanda playing violin with him and singing harmonies alongside with him. Simple lyrics with a longing that goes beyond the simplicity:
"And I've grown tired of traveling alone
Tired of traveling alone
I've grown tired of traveling alone
Won't you ride with me?"
Here's to love, working on the flaws, and evolving into the best versions of ourselves.
I appreciate Jason Isbell's story. I've read up on him a little bit, and just today, caught a New York Times article that spoke to how he sobered up recently because of his girlfriend at the time who is now his wife. Apparently, she helped get him to rehab. And when he came out of rehab, he created the album Southeastern. When people speak about the album, you hear words like 'intimate,' 'powerful, and 'beautifully stark.'
Think about it, all the things that we mask because of addiction, depression, and negative emotions can come out into the most stunning of pieces when we cleanse. And Amanda Shires, his wife, stuck with him throughout the challenging times. She saw something evolved in him that perhaps he couldn't quite yet see. That's a beautiful commitment. She loved him in spite of his flaws and helped him rise above them. 'Cover Me Up' is one of his songs about addiction, truly vulnerable.
I'm featuring Traveling Alone by Jason Isbell. The video includes Amanda playing violin with him and singing harmonies alongside with him. Simple lyrics with a longing that goes beyond the simplicity:
"And I've grown tired of traveling alone
Tired of traveling alone
I've grown tired of traveling alone
Won't you ride with me?"
Here's to love, working on the flaws, and evolving into the best versions of ourselves.
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