Songwriting With Soldiers

My creative journey, and the inspiration for starting this blog begins with a Songwriting with Soldiers retreat that I attended over a year ago in Cold Spring, NY. In a destined series of events, someone randomly sent me the information for this special opportunity offered to veterans. I then randomly applied and interviewed and found myself selected. During the retreat, I was surrounded by nature and professional songwriters on the most beautiful farm with so much love and support. and some of the most nourishing food I’ve ever experienced. I had the honor of meeting some very amazing female veterans. We were each on our own healing journeys, but were bonded and rooted together in our shared service and dedication to our great nation. Together we learned just how special and healing creative outlets can be, and I witnessed creativity’s ability to work for anyone. Below is a group song titled “She’s Worthy” that we wrote together when we spent the day at the farms majestic boat house. My interpretation of the song focuses on it’s nautical theme of duality, with the human person on one side and a sturdy ship at sea on the other. I hope you enjoy it, and follow the link below to listen to it, and then find your own personal interpretation that is special to you on your journey and helps you along your way. Ciao!

She’s Worthy

Get my ship straight and strong, reach out a hand and pull others on
But you gotta request permission to come aboard
Cause no one’s gonna slow me down, gonna get me lost or run me aground
I used to let the pirates on but not anymore
I know my ship and what she can do
All the storms she’d guide me through

During the day I use the sun
At night I use the stars
Charting a course with true north in my heart
I know when to anchor when to sail
Catch to current the way it flows
Steady as she goes, I’m the captain
Steady as she goes, I’m the captain

Holding down the helm, yeah I might feel overwhelmed
But the lighthouse in the dark guides me on
Fog has lifted the rain has cleared, my feet are planted and I’m still here
Even when the seas get rough, I feel my calm
And journey on, journey on

“She’s Worthy”, painted on the stern
When I lose sight of the shore
I can trust that I’ll return

I’m the captain

credits

from SW:S August 2024, Cold Spring, NY, released September 27, 2024
By: Amy Bossingham / Colleen Bushnell / Adriana Cardona / Vania Czumak / Leslie Fleury / Sheila Lee / Maggie Lushina / Pamela Pfeil / Erin Enderlin / Lisa Morales / Terry Radigan / Maia Sharp

license

Listen to the song here at this link below!

https://songwritingwithsoldiers.bandcamp.com/track/she-s-worthy

Lauren Petracca was our photographer for the retreat. She is an amazing, award winning photographer. She took our photo above and you can see her work at https://www.laurenpetracca.com/

Vania's Art Of Living