“The Great One” - a song about promise
Written at Camp Denali in Denali National Park
Recorded at Hatcher Pass Lodge in Hatcher Pass, AK
Story Pairing
I just wrapped up a tour around Alaska. There is so much swimming in my head that it’s hard to even get it all pointed in one direction. The short of it is get to Alaska asap if you haven’t.
This song was written in a cabin at Camp Denali in the Denali National park. Right now the 92 mile road is closed, so the only way in is by bush plane (the road opens next month after being closed for 5 years). They say that the mountain, the highest in North America at 20,000ft, is only visible around 30% of the time. People come from around the world to put eyes on it, and it could care less.
The idea of so many falling in love with this truly one of a kind place, and specifically that mountain, makes sense. We crawl around this world as humans, exploring and experiencing, and leaving pieces of our heart everywhere we go. Spots as grand as this feel like a one way street. Certainly they give and inspire, but our time there is a blip in their full span. People can spend their entire lives falling in love with a place like this, and not a single thing may change 100 years after we are gone. That sort of relationship is beautiful in the unabashedly honest way that nature thrives at.
I was clearly inspired by Mt Denali in this song. I was also inspired by all the people that I met at Camp Denali. Those sort of fringe places around the world attract a type of person that I find infinitely interesting. People that have taken the time to unplug from the typical flow of life, and go explore a new place, or uncover a new stone they couldn’t the first time they were there. We shared breakfasts and dinners together, and to hear all the amazing journeys the guests had been on and the ones they have planned was fantastic. They’ve lived so much life and are so gracious in sharing and connecting where there is common ground. Non-traditional living is almost the norm in Alaska and I think it draws true adventurers in. Spending time with that as the foundation for meeting each other is priceless, and I’m leaving Alaska with a deeper love for the way I’m walking the world and an excitement to lean into doing more.
To the new folks I met on this trip, thank you. Thank you for setting an example and sharing such a rich option for structuring a life.
A massive thank you to Jenna and Simon and the staff at Camp Denali for making a traveling musician feel beyond welcome. I can’t think of a more epic place I have been able to share songs and stories at and swap road stories.
Respect for Denali Air and running one of the most breathtaking flights I’ve ever taken. Flying around Mt. Denali on the way in had me tearing up.
Much love to Pokey at Hatcher Pass Lodge for giving us a place to unwind at the end of a long trip and have one more great show with Alaska badasses
An attempt at doing justice of some of these views. I have an album of over 250 pictures I am sharing for anyone on my newsletter or any tier on Patreon (even free).
Song Structure
Capo 3
Intro: E - B - A
Verse: E - A
Pre Chorus: Am - E - Am - B
Chorus: E - A - E - A - E
Voice Memos
Notebook Page
July 2026
Lyrics
Let me stand on your north side
Drinking sky from the dipper
Those old stars fill your quiver
Pointing on
How could words ever describe you
Shining Wonderlake below
You crown and robe of snow
Curtains drawn
If there’s anything that I can sing, just tell me
I’d sing it till my throat was running dry
There may be nothing I can do
To get close enough to you
But I’ll try
The things behind forgotten
They know and call my name
So jealous that I came
Here to see
You may never know it
But you saved me from em all
Twenty thousand reasons tall
To be free
If there’s anything that I can sing, just tell me
I’d sing it till my throat was running dry
There may be nothing I can do
To get close enough to you
But I’ll try
This version that I’m taking
Away from here with me
Is a perfect memory
To pass along
Sweet Denali still and silent
Just any sort of sign
That this love’s not only mine
Burning strong
If there’s anything that I can sing, just tell me
I’d sing it till my throat was running dry
There may be nothing I can do
To get close enough to you
But I’ll try
There may be nothing I can do
To get close enough to you
But I’ll try