I spent part of last week in the mountains in central Colorado wtih a group of friends. Standing on the top of a snow-covered peak with a 360-deg view got me thinking once again about the going Into the Wild.

I remembered the soundtrack by Eddie Vedder from the film version of Into the Wild (dir. Sean Penn, 2007). It is this song, “Rise” that particularly captured me and sticks with me on many repeat hearings

Listen to “Rise” (via Grooveshark)

Such is the way of the world
You can never know
Just where to put all your faith
And how will it grow

Gonna rise up
Burning back holes in dark memories
Gonna rise up
Turning mistakes into gold

Such is the passage of time
Too fast to fold
And suddenly swallowed by signs
Lo and behold

Gonna rise up
Find my direction magnetically
Gonna rise up
Throw down my ace in the hole

Eddie Vedder – Rise Lyrics @ LyricsTime.com

This song evokes the feeling, image, and memories of standing under wide open skies with the vista of this bright, beautiful world spread before you. It’s a magical song.

If you prefer, here is the song on YouTube with selected scenes from the film.