[Intro] Boots in the damp moss; look straight up as the canopy clears. [Verse 1] Morning fog is clinging to the ground I take the old trail, shoulders bowed Wet cedar dark beneath my hand I carry more than I had planned My feet press deep in mountain clay I leave a little hurt along the way Then through the branches, cold and gray I see the sky begin to make me stay [Pre-Chorus] Feel the whole high country turn A small hard heart can still unlearn [Pause] Ascend... [Chorus] I dance in sandals on the stone With all this weight, I walk alone Then your open sky comes pulling me through And every steep mile leads me back to you I lift my face; the cold air clears You make me brave enough to be here [Verse 2] Sun dries the river's granite edge I rest my cup beside the ledge No crown to claim, no debt to hide Just your steady hand beside my side The tea goes cool; the clouds move on I thought I had to hold it all alone You say my name; I stand up straight And feel the mountain give me space [Pre-Chorus] Listen, all the chambers answer My guarded soul gives up its armor [Brief pause] Levitate... [Chorus] I dance in sandals on the stone With all this weight, I walk alone Then your open sky comes pulling me through And every steep mile leads me back to you I lift my face; the cold air clears You make me brave enough to be here [Bridge] I was built to bear the weather You were there to pull us together If my voice shakes, let it shake I have one more step to take Nothing between my heart and the sky Nothing I need to prove tonight [Instrumental: grand piano ensemble, deep Swiss alpenhorn, accordion-colored horn phrases, bagpipe drone and melodic answers] [Chorus] I dance in sandals on the stone No longer carrying it alone Your open sky keeps calling me through And every steep mile leads me back to you I lift my face; the cold air clears You make me brave enough to be here [Outro] The ceiling dissolved; completely open. I dance in sandals, and I’m home.
