“The World Is As Sharp As The Edge Of A Knife”

On December 2nd, a new single “The World is as Sharp as The Edge of a Knife” will be released in anticipation of an upcoming album and live performance:  Haida Solstice concert at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre on Dec 21st 2024.

About the Song:

The song highlights Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson’s passion for reviving the Haida language and honouring her ancestors and homeland. “The World is as Sharp as the Edge of a Knife” begins by invoking the deep, ancient, and quiet stillness of these primordial, magical islands with ethereal guitar and keyboards and builds to reflect the strength of Haida Gwaii with big sing moments underscored with an ever-present drum.

“This song was inspired by a famous Haida proverb and bears its name. To summarize; a man fell from a very small incline and died. The proverb teaches us that we must strive for balance throughout our lives, including our emotions. For example, we must balance pride with humility.”

Artwork by Robert Davidson “The World Is As Sharp As The Edge Of A Knife” 1993

This single, being released Dec 2, 2024 is from the forthcoming album “Edge of the World”, which will be released in April 2025.

This album reflects the diverse and culturally rich islands of Haida Gwaii, from the rocky reefs adapted to storm force winds arriving from the oceans, to the deep, quiet, moss-covered rainforests.

The World is as Sharp as the Edge of a Knife begins by invoking the deep, ancient, and quiet stillness of these primordial, magical islands with ethereal guitar and keyboards and builds to reflect the strength of Haida Gwaii with big sing moments unscored with an ever-present drum.
 
Singing in the Haida language is important work to be done now as Canada seeks to collectively address the injustices and harms resulting from previous assimilationist and colonizing policies. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada has issued Calls to Action to guide this process. Calls 13-17 are aimed at furthering Indigenous languages and cultures. We are proud to contribute to the work of reconciliation and healing through this music.
 
This song was inspired by a famous Haida proverb and bears its name. Florence Edenshaw Davidson explained this proverb to Robert Davidson, and summarizing: a man was very proud, fell and died. The proverb teaches us that we must strive for balance throughout our lives, including our emotions. For example, we must balance pride with humility.

The first verse has the full Haida lyrics as translated by the Skidegate Haida Immersion Program. Terri-Lynn refined the melody on a trip to Gwaii Haanas in 2021, while circumnavigating Cape St. James, the southern most island-group of Haida Gwaii. This part of Haida Gwaii is wild, edgy, verdant, and primordial. Terri-Lynn’s Xaayda Kil teacher, GwaaGanad Diane Brown hosted this trip with her students. During the trip they walked up a small, steep trail to the old lighthouse on Cape St James. From this vista we felt we could see all of Haida Gwaii; it was magical.

After that trip, Terri-Lynn continued to rework the chorus to reflect both the ascent and power of Haida Gwaii. In 2022, she gifted the song to the children of her late stepson, Ben Davidson at his memorial Potlatch: Gavin Russ, Dustin Jeanson-Davidson, Jayde Davidson, Juno Davidson and Jasper Davidson. She also gifted it to their cousins: the children of Leslie and Tyler Brown, Cecil and Gwen Brown, Vanessa and Noel Bellis, and Cori Savard and Dwayne Alsop, and Melanie Russ, to encourage the strengthening of the close ties the children have to each other.