We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.
/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $2 USD  or more

     

about

"'The Invitation' by Oriah Mountain Dreamer is one of the most beautiful poems I have read. It has been translated into over 15 languages around the world and is often read at wedding ceremonies. I was honoured to compose and perform music to accompany Oriah's words. I have tried to interpret the integrity and sensitivity of her lyrics with my voice, acoustic guitar and a sparse instrumental arrangement."
Nicolette Aubourg

lyrics

“The Invitation” by Oriah Mountain Dreamer ©

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know
what you ache for
and if you dare to dream
of meeting your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me
how old you are.
I want to know
if you will risk
looking like a fool
for love
for your dream
for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me
what planets are squaring your moon…
I want to know
if you’ve touched the centre of your own sorrow
if you’ve been opened
by life’s betrayals
or have become shrivelled and closed
from fear of further pain.

I want to know
if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it
or fix it.

I want to know
if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you
to the tips of your fingers and toes
without cautioning us
to be careful
to be realistic
to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn’t interest me
if the story you are telling me
is true.
I want to know if you can
disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear
the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty
every day.
And if you can source your own life
from its presence.

I want to know
if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand at the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
“Yes.”

It doesn’t interest me
to know where you live
or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up
after the night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.

It doesn’t interest me
who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
in the center of the fire
with me
and not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me
where or what or with whom
you have studied.
I want to know
what sustains you
from the inside
when all else falls away.

I want to know
if you can be alone
with yourself
and if you truly like
the company you keep
in the empty moments.

credits

released December 9, 2011
Words by Oriah Mountain Dreamer © (Debra House (GEMA))
Music by Nicolette Aubourg (Syresham Music (ASCAP))
Copyright 2011 Nicolette Aubourg & Oriah Mountain Dreamer
Guitar, vocals, keyboard & percussion by Nicolette Aubourg
Recording mixed by Steve Holroyd

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Nicolette Aubourg image

Nicolette Aubourg Los Angeles, California

#CEASEFIRENOW! Singer-guitarist Nicolette Aubourg was born in South Africa where she studied music and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and English Literature before moving to Los Angeles. Nicolette has released three studio albums and nine singles. Her songwriting covers a variety of subjects including social justice and she has won many songwriting awards. ... more

contact / help

Contact Nicolette Aubourg

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like The Invitation, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Beans joins the show to discuss his album release, "ZWAARD".

listen now