Pilgrimage (audio)
Pilgrimage (video)

This song is for us who love to walk in nature, a story of pilgrimage to places we consider holy, where perseverance is rewarded with a magnificent view of beauty in the form of rare species or otherwise comforting sights that make us believe that humankind has not yet managed to destroy all of the finest creations.

Although there are couple of rare living things mentioned in the song, please don't go to these places and ruin their already threatened peace, but rather watch documentaries (or my video) and discover your own special nature sanctuaries. I'm interested in hearing where you would like to go on your nature pilgrimage smile

Some good documentary references:



I read that Wollemi is an Aboriginal word meaning 'look around you, keep your eyes open and watch out'.

The songwriting process has also been inspired by a couple of our Australian forum members, clues: trees and major to minor change in the bridge smile

I bought yet another Synthesizer V vocalist, tenor voice Lang Chuan. I didn't expect it to work with this song, I tried it with the verses, but Liam's voice was much better there. But Lang Chuan worked amazingly well in the chorus and in the bridge, so I had to use that voice. Perhaps you don't like the contrast between these voices, but to me it is a huge boosting factor.

AI was used to check the lyrics, I changed couple of words based on its recommendation, but left some clichés and clumsy structures to make sure that the lyrics don't sound AI generated laugh

The video clips were completely AI generated (Nano Banana & Veo Fast), it is amazing that the technology allowed me to implement most of my wild ideas... Nicely I could put myself into the video without going into a jungle, but the character consistency is not 100% perfect. And if you are interested, you can try to find as many AI flaws as possible laugh

The BIAB band was easily built, thanks to the vast selection of instruments, pity there were no new Chinese instruments in 2026 RTs, but I'm happy that the old Dizi Flute and Guzheng still work so well (needed quite much partial regeneration and some Melodyne work).

Based on the style _OUTBACK.STY (Outback Country Ballad Soloist)

RealDrums: NashvilleEven8^1-a:Sidestick, HiHat , b:Snare, Ride

RealTracks:
#518:Bass, Electric, Pop HalfNotes Ev 085
#4155:Piano, Acoustic, Rhythm ChillSparseChords Ev 075
#365:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking Ev 085
#3545:Guitar, Acoustic, Fingerpicking CelticBalladSoft Ev 075
#542:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm Dreamy Ev 085
#4023:Guitar, Electric, Rhythm ModCountryBalladPower8thsMute Ev16 075
#4566:Guzheng, Background CalmingMelodic ev16 065
#4567:Dizi Flute, Background CalmingMelodic ev 065

Chord Track: The Orchestra Complete

Vocals: Synthesizer V Liam & Lang Chuan (lead), Weina & Jun (backing)

Mixed in Cakewalk Sonar (Ozone 12, Neoverb)

Lyrics:

[Verse]
I may not be here tomorrow
but there are still things that
I have to know
I need to go on my last walk
to grasp the world's ache
without empty talk
ruthless pain I must abide
the bitter facts I will face
with each stride.

[Chorus]
Ash of the past and blisters abound
looking for relieving sights
to lay the burden down
I am approaching the world's final ridge
this is my undeterred pilgrimage.

[Verse]
Amid the mud of the mangrove
I breathe the wild
in the smell of a clove.
I faintly witness that booming sound
I value those who
don't want to be found.
We are their sole adversary
near to extinct are
the last cassowaries.

[Chorus]
Ash of the past and blisters abound
looking for relieving sights
to lay the burden down
I am approaching the world's final ridge
this is my undeterred pilgrimage.

[Verse]
Through many canyons and uphills
across the rivers
that are flowing still.
One tiny region survived
the heritage of wonders
that anciently thrived.
I look around me in this shrine
I feel the bark of
the Wollemi Pine.

[Chorus]
Ash of the past and blisters abound
looking for relieving sights
to lay the burden down
I am approaching the world's final ridge
this is my undeterred pilgrimage.

[Bridge]
We rue the acts of a man
we kneel before the last of this land
we don't deserve salvation
we speak for trees not blessed to talk
we don't deserve redemption
we pray for plenty in the eye of the hawk.

-------------------
Janne

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