The Road

This piece, by Nick Cave & Warren Ellis, is the theme from the 2009 film “The Road”; based on the Cormac McCarthy novel (by the same name).  The story details the grueling journey of a father and his young son over a period of several months, across a postapocalyptic landscape that has been destroyed by an unspecified cataclysm. While the film is bleak and disquieting, like the novel, it’s beautifully composed. The Road has magnificent performances from Viggo Mortensen (the father) and Kodi Smit-McPhee (the boy).

“All I know is the child is my warrant, and if he is not the word of God, then God never spoke..” – Father (The Road)

I see The Road as a love letter to fathers, specifically fathers of sons. I saw the movie years ago when it was first released in 2009. I found the film to be well done and affecting. I rewatched it very recently and my reaction was deeply emotional. As a father of a son, about the age of “the boy” in the film, I cried my eyes out. I cannot get this movie out of my mind.

Cormac McCarthy (the father of 2 sons) and Viggo Mortensen (father of 1 son) created and transcended the quintessential and most realist patriarch ever. The way father (Mortensen) negotiates nature and nurture with his little boy. Steeling him during their harrowing journey while comforting him, and preserving his childhood in any moment of respite. It’s poetic.

I often think of my son, Matthew as a gift from God. It’s actually the meaning of his name — though we didn’t that until after he was born in 2015. As his Dad, every action I willing take in life; physically, musically, or whatever — is to the benefit of him. That is the incredible gift from God: my “self” is gone, and it’s only our son, Matthew.

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How to play The Road | fingerstyle guitar

The guitar tab for this piece is beautifully written across 3 pages. It’s very easy to play, and I recommend this piece for beginner guitar players. Enjoy, the guitar tab is available below:

**The Road (Nick Cave & Warren Ellis) | fingerstyle guitar

This arrangement is played in standard tuning.