Medicine

Rising Appalachia's song 'Medicine' is a profound exploration of ancestral wisdom, natural healing, and the power of community. The lyrics emphasize the importance of resisting complacency and embracing a life of active engagement and defiance against injustice. The opening lines, 'Wise men say that rushing is violence / And so is your silence / When it's rooted in compliance,' suggest that both haste and passive acceptance can be forms of violence. Instead, the song advocates for 'loving defiance' and using art as a means of resistance and expression, urging listeners to 'give voice to the fire' and move people through the power of music and dance.

The recurring invocation of 'Medicine woman, medicine man' serves as a tribute to the healers and wisdom keepers within communities. These figures are portrayed as walking with grace and possessing a deep, trustworthy knowledge. The song encourages listeners to find their teachers in nature, to 'unplug' and listen to the 'wisdom of the voiceless.' This connection to the natural world is seen as a source of abundant remedies and healing, from the garden to the stars. The lyrics also highlight the importance of music and community as sources of healing and belonging, urging listeners to find their healing in the music that calls them and to give thanks for the lessons learned.

The song also emphasizes the importance of protecting and honoring elders and the natural world. The lines 'We hold tight to our right to protect and / We know our might is 10-fold in connection' underscore the strength that comes from unity and collective action. The mention of the 'wolf, the hawk, the bear clan' evokes a sense of kinship with the animal world and a recognition of the interconnectedness of all life. 'Medicine' is a call to action, urging listeners to embrace their heritage, protect their communities, and find healing in the natural world and in each other.