Witch Words

What’s brewing, Witches!! Here at the Traveling Witches, a new name for our cottage in the woods is brewing.

(Updated because I hit post before I finished and reposted the updated one.)

Last year, we embarked on an adventure in the woods when we bought our cottage, which has become my favorite reading place. I’ve mentioned the cottage and land and shared some pictures with you on the blog. When we first bought it, it had remained untouched for over 20 years. We set to work, transforming the cottage and clearing away numerous trees, most of them long departed from the land of the living. Now, it’s gradually becoming a space uniquely our own and our loved ones. We are protective of our cherished place and who we let in.

We often found ourselves referring to it simply as “the cottage.” However, while my sister Norma and her family were camping, we listened to music. The iconic “Lunatic Fringe” by Red Rider played, evoking memories of our high school days when this song was our anthem. A closer look at the song’s lyrics revealed a deeper meaning that resonated with me, and it struck me that this should be our theme song, and our cottage found its name, “Lunatic Ridge.”

But why “Lunatic Ridge”? I’m not a huge music fan; I’d rather be reading or listening to a book. However, I like a few songs, and “Lunatic Fringe” is one of them. It’s a great, timeless song that has stood the test of time.

Intrigued by the song’s meaning, I delved into some research. While I found little information, I stumbled upon a brief video featuring Tom Cochrane and an article about the video, which shed some light on the song’s themes. Although he didn’t go into great detail, he mentioned that the song addresses racism. When you look at the lyrics, you can see it could apply to any kind of prejudice.

“Everybody was saying, ‘What are these lyrics? These are way too heavy for rock and roll. Why don’t you just get down to writing a pop song? Just write some pop lyrics and let’s get on with it.’ And I thought, ‘No, this is important to say.’

The song speaks out against racism, it speaks out against a number of things, and it topically is current today, I suppose, as it was back then in some ways. It’s about being vigilant, about our freedom.”

Cochrane adds that while recording the song, he found out John Lennon had been killed. “It just hit me like a ton of bricks and I thought, here’s a guy that always wore his heart on his sleeve. For better, for worse, these lyrics are going to stand. I didn’t think the song would see the light of day because it was just so different, so unique. I’m very proud of this song. It’s probably one of the more unique pieces of music I’ve ever written.” ~ Tom Cochrane Copied from songfacts.com

It struck me that “Lunatic Fringe” was a fitting choice for our cottage, given that we are a family that includes members of the LGBTQ+ community. We support the community, especially in light of recent challenges and discrimination faced by the transgender community in various parts of the world.

While there is a tiny bit of lunatic in us. At Lunatic Ridge, we keep the lunatics out and the love in. “Lunatic Fringe,” we know you are out there, and we will see you coming. 🏳️‍🌈🌟

Be brave, Be kind, Creep it real, and Be you. May everything you do and say come from a place of love ~Head traveling witch Brenda

Lunatic Fringe lyrics

Lunatic fringe
I know you’re out there
You’re in hiding
And you hold your meetings

I can hear you coming
And we know what you’re after
We’re wise to you this time
(We’re wise to you this time)
We won’t let you kill the laughter

Lunatic fringe
In the twilight’s last gleaming
This is open season
But you won’t get too far

‘Cause you’ve got to blame someone
For your own confusion
We’re on guard this time (on guard this time)
Against your final solution
Oh no

We can hear you coming
(We can hear you coming)
No, you’re not going to win this time
(You’re not gonna win)
We can hear the footsteps
(We can hear the footsteps)
Way out along the walkway (along the walkway)

Lunatic fringe
We all know you’re out there
Can you feel the resistance?
Can you feel the thunder?
Oh no