Sundogs - Cast It Down

Cast It Down
By Stan Snow

In the book Pilgram’s Progress there is a fictional, deep bog known as the Slough of Despond. In order to escape, the protagonist essentially has to cast his burdens down, thus freeing himself. We all need to forgive ourselves and others at times. If we carry baggage from our past such that it weighs us down we usually have a much more difficult time going forward. Cast It Down is about the conversation that occurs within ourselves and/or with others, in an effort to keep things on track. Sometimes we have to lose our way, to find our way.

When I wrote this song I started out with the piano riff that is moving in fifths (intervals). The guitar riff that uses a ‘pinching technique’ to grip the strings in pulsing motion, led me to the orchestral build that transitions into the first verse. The chorus is in 7/4 time. Jed plays some very cool Hammond organ punches, and piano parts.

You take a step, I take a step
Together we can climb
You look away, I look away
We never know, we find

Dark and light can hold the future
If you can let go of your past

Cast it down
Let it be found
Find your way
Don’t take it round
All you know
Tear it apart
Hold on
Let go

You see yourself, inside yourself
It’s like a mirror in time
Reflect the light, to find the light
Unlike the perfect crime

Fallen castles under water
Can quickly bring you to your knees

Cast it down
Don’t make a sound
Lose your way
All will be found
Let it go
Try to break free
Hold on

Cast it down
Let it be found
Find your way
Don’t take it round
All you know
Tear it apart
Hold on
Let go

Stan Snow: songwriter, producer, vocals, guitars, bass
Jed Moffitt: co-producer, keyboards
Mia Boyle: backing vocals
Eva Acton Stokes: backing vocals
Mike Stone: drums
Don Gunn: drum session engineering, mastering