The song Moss & Marrow by Joan Shelley is about letting go of someone you love and wishing them well on their journey, even though it's difficult to do so. The lyrics convey a sense of emotional weight, like that of the mountains, and the natural imagery of moss, marrow, lichen, and flowers represents the growth and change that can come from letting go. The second verse speaks of boiling bones in clear spring water, which could represent a purification or cleansing process. Losing family members and the child being gone implies a sense of grief or loss, which is further explored in the imagery of the beaten path where memory meets the listener and the leaves enclose them, turning them away from each other. In the chorus, the speaker releases the person they love into the wild open and wishes them well on their journey, acknowledging that they may never see them again. Overall, the song is a bittersweet reflection on the complex emotions of letting go and saying goodbye.
