Track 13 · One Text, Twelve Interpretations
Squirrel! (But Make It Spiritual
Track 13 from One Text, Twelve Interpretations.
About this song
About Squirrel! (But Make It Spiritual
A deeper look at this song is coming soon.
Track 13 on One Text, Twelve Interpretations. Duration: 4:32.
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Lyrics
like, “Here’s what I learned about healing…”
and then a bird lands on a mailbox
and my whole soul goes, “WOW.”
So yeah… I get distracted.
But somehow I always come back with a lesson.
Squirrel… but make it spiritual.
‘Bout my feelings and my fears
Said “You know what I’ve been thinkin’?”
Then I stopped mid-sentence, stared
‘Cause a squirrel ran up the oak tree
Like it owed somebody rent
And my brain went full nature documentary
And forgot what I meant
And I said, “Wait… hold on—this is relevant”
I lose my point, then I find my center
Life’s loud, my mind’s a carnival
But I’m learnin’ how to stay a little gentler
Yeah, I wander, then I circle back
With a truth I didn’t plan to tell
Squirrel! (but make it spiritual)
Somehow I make it mean something… as well
Went to be a better man
Then I noticed a cloud shaped like Texas
And that ruined the plan
I started countin’ all the mailbox numbers
Like that was holy work
Then I remembered I was supposed to be present
Not researchin’ how mail gets served
I didn’t fail, I just detoured
And detours still get you somewhere
If you don’t call them a war
I lose my point, then I find my center
Life’s loud, my mind’s a carnival
But I’m learnin’ how to stay a little gentler
Yeah, I wander, then I circle back
With a truth I didn’t plan to tell
Squirrel! (but make it spiritual)
Somehow I make it mean something… as well
Maybe attention isn’t a straight line
Maybe my mind is a wild dog
That just needs a kinder kind of time
So when I drift, I don’t shame it
I just notice and return
Like “Hey, buddy—good to see you
Now let’s go where we were”
No drama, no blame
Breathe once slow
Come back the same
Ask one question: “What matters right now?”
Then choose the next small step—
and take it somehow
I lose my point, then I find my center
Life’s loud, my mind’s a carnival
But I’m learnin’ how to stay a little gentler
Yeah, I wander, then I circle back
With a calm I didn’t think I had
Squirrel! (but make it spiritual)
Turns out the detour ain’t so bad
Coming back is the practice.
Not staying perfect.
So drift if you drift.
Just return with kindness.
AI Interpretation
What this song means
The emotional core of 'Squirrel! (But Make It Spiritual)' is the delicate dance between distraction and presence, evoking feelings of frustration and acceptance. It holds space for those who struggle with their wandering minds, capturing the moment when a deep conversation is interrupted by a fleeting thought or an unexpected sight, like a squirrel darting up a tree. This song speaks to anyone who feels overwhelmed by the chaos of their thoughts, reminding them that it’s okay to drift and that returning to the present is a gentle act of self-compassion.
William Cloudborn is working through the complexities of attention and the human experience, wanting listeners to embrace their distractions rather than shaming them. Through vivid imagery, like clouds shaped like Texas and the metaphor of a wild dog, he communicates that detours can lead to meaningful insights. He aims to release listeners from the pressure of perfection, inviting them to see that wandering thoughts can still yield valuable lessons, as articulated in the line, 'Maybe attention isn’t a straight line.'
This song can function as a comforting companion during moments of mental overwhelm, such as a hard morning when thoughts are racing or after a frustrating argument where focus is lost. It offers solace during a quiet drive, where the chaos of the mind can feel particularly loud, reminding listeners that they are not alone in their distractions. By encouraging gentle self-acceptance and the practice of returning to the moment, it provides a grounding experience that helps alleviate shame and fosters a kinder relationship with one's own wandering mind.