Parting Pangaea
“‘Parting Pangaea’ is a follow-up to a much older song from the band (‘Simple Song About A Girl’), telling the story of two people, both the best of friends from a young age, who fall in love and fall apart.”
Pangaea broke like a poem
And set all the islands free
When the pieces set out for the ocean
Do you think they laughed with glee?
I bet they cried like babies lost at sea
When best friends become lovers
It’s not too far of a leap
One night of one unlikely Summer
After all our friends fall asleep
You kiss me like it’s a secret you can’t bear to keep
A fool for romances,
I can fall hard from a few advances
But I take my chances
And now one year together
Our hearts just know no better
Steered for forever
And you’re still my best friend
You take me across the world
To see the life you left behind
Show me your country, your culture, your family
We explore states of mind
But to make room for freedom your heart pushes me aside
I’m holding on
I still believe
So if you’re letting go
Do it gently
Life’s full of changes
Just when you forget what pain is
The good rearranges
And now we face a fire
Mom said I was born a fighter
So let’s hold on tighter
You’re my best friend
One day, we’re kissing goodbye ‘cause I’m leaving
Saying, “We’ll be together soon. Yes, we will”
And today, I’m kicking myself for believing
We’d ever make it to a greener hill
That we’d really be together still
Our love never made it out of Brazil
I’m letting go
Since you let go of me
If you ever come back
Do it gently
Like most Willow Steps songs, "Parting Pangaea" was spawned out of a relationship. Rather than expressing emotions however, this song captures the concrete events to tell a story. From a new romance sparked at a sleep over party of friends, to lovers traveling together, to the pain of parting ways with denial and then acceptance, this song aims to paint a picture for the listener. The final refrain features a quire of singers and a slowed-down-tempo to create a feeling of freedom and release that comes with healthy closure.
- Jesse
Guitar tuned down a half step
Verse:
G | G/F# | Em7 | Em7
Cadd9 | G/B | D | D (whole thing 2x)
C | C | D | D
G/F#: 2 0 0 0 3 3
Em7: 0 2 2 0 3 3
Cadd9: x 3 2 0 3 3
Interlude:
G G/F# | Em7 (2x)
G D/F# | C Am | D7 | D7
Chorus A:
G D | C (2x)
G D | Em | Am | D
G D | C 2x
G D | Em | Em | Am | D
Chorus B:
G | (strumming octave notes D C B on 1st and 6th strings, with muted 5th string and rest of strings open) | C/E | C/E (4x)
Bridge:
G | G | Em | Em
C | C | Dsus4 | D (whole thing 2x)
G | G | Em | Em
C | G/B | Dsus4 | D | D7 | D7
C | C | D | D
G | G/F# | Em7 | Em7
C | C | D | D
Dsus4: x x 0 2 3 3