Earth Day Song

Today I want to share with you the demo of my newest song, "Walking Lightly." I'm excited to announce that in honor of Earth Day, I will be recording a fully-produced version of this song at a professional studio in Denver! Lyrics and some background on the song are below. You can sign up to be notified when the single is released at the bottom of this page. Happy Earth Day!



These are the lyrics:


"Walking Lightly" 
by Elyse Miller

My momma feels the breath of the seasons
Each little bud of spring, it's like she reads them
Buzzing bees and big shade trees, dragonflies and long-neck geese 

She tells me we're all tied and how we need them

She took me to the heart of the forest
Showed me secret redwoods where the birds nest 

And I said, Momma, whatcha doin'
Dancin' softly through the trees?
She said, I'm walking lightly


I'm walking lightly so others may walk here
I'm letting in the love of the sunshine
Planting daisies as I go, so someday, Dear, I hope 

Your walk will be as beautiful as mine

She didn't tell me not to run or shout there 

She didn't soap my mouth or hold my tongue 
She just glowed with the life all around us 
And taught me how to love
And taught me how to love


My daddy loves the late afternoon shadows
Painting cowboy colors as the sun goes
Gliding through the evening still, laughing with the whippoorwill 

And in my thoughts his wisdom flows

He took me to a lightning-hollowed giant
Inside it the entire world was quiet
Blackened bark didn't care, it had a reason to be there 

Taught me the value of silence

He took me to the beach in my Sunday best 

We swam in the ocean fully dressed
And I said, Daddy, whatcha doin'
Singin' songs out to the sea?

He said I'm walking lightly

I'm walking lightly so others may walk here
I'm letting in the love of the sunshine
Planting daisies as I go, so someday, Dear, I hope 

Your walk will be as beautiful as mine

Wandered south and found myself in love
Awake in all the riches I'd been dreaming of
We made bonds beyond all time with atoms thrilled to reunite 

I'm free again and walk on light

I took him for a picnic on the lake
We made all the love that we could make 

He said, Honey whatcha doin'
With your arms around that tree? 
I said, I'm walking lightly

I'm walking lightly for those who haven't come yet
I'm walking lightly for those who went before
I'm walking lightly so they too can see this sacred place 

We'll gift it to the ones who will be born

We went back home and made a little one
And all together we went walking many times under the sun 

Sip of honey and bide my time, wouldn't trade it for a dime 
It's all yours and it's all mine, help it grow and walk on light 

He took our babe to the waterfallWhere we drank in the wonder years before 
She said, Papa whatcha doin'
Singin' wishes on the breeze?
He said, I'm walking lightly


I'm walking lightly so others may walk here
I'm letting in the love of the sunshine
Planting daisies as I go, so someday, Dear, I hope 

Your walk will be as beautiful as mine
Your walk will be as beautiful as mine
Your walk will be as beautiful as mine 
Your walk will be as beautiful as mine 

The story in this song is based on real people in my life. My mom is keenly aware of when the flowers bloom and how the seasons turn. She loves walking outdoors in the sun. I wanted to honor my parents and thank them for the things they have taught me. The song includes two memories from my childhood with my dad. One is of a tree we used to go to in California that had been struck by lightning so the inside was hollowed out. He would walk inside with me on his shoulders and it felt magical. The other one was a day we went to the beach and swam in our clothes. I was probably 4 years old. 


I don't have any children of my own, so that part of the song is something I hope for someday. If I do have children, I want them to have all the beautiful things in the world and never to have to worry about an polluted air, unemployment, war, or food shortages. 


Walking lightly, to me, means using only what you need because you respect the needs of others. It means cleaning up after yourself. It means teaching your kids to consider other people. Pay it forward and pass it on.


Saturday, April 27 - Live for Earth Day:

This Saturday, April 27th, you can see me play "Walking Lightly" live at 1:15pm for the RMSLA Earth Day Celebration at the Gardens on Spring Creek located at 2145 Centre Drive, Fort Collins, CO. There will be earthy activities, music, and a beer garden from 11-5pm, and it's free admission, so bring your family and enjoy the warming weather!

Don't forget to enter your email below, to find out when the single is released!