Sojourner

"Sojourner" is the first song from Act III of the The Smashing Pumpkins' 2023 rock opera, ATUM.

Written on a piano, Billy Corgan said he was especially content with how the song came out with respect to his vision, saying it is one of his favorite songs on the album "from a prideful, personal level."

Synopsis
After learning of Shiny's impending return to Earth, the X+I decide to welcome him back instead of retaliating with violence. They set up a grand show of lights before he lands with many of the general public in attendance. This song is told from three perspectives while Shiny's ship comes to Earth: one being June; singing as she floats ever closer to the sun and her inevitable death. Ruby and her quest to save Shiny. And Osirah who is in attendance for Shiny's return. Shiny's ship finally lands and we find that he has not aged a day despite being in exile for many years; and he is very confused about what is happening. He sees numerous X+I members on the stage with him in ceremonial robes and they gesture to a microphone. Shiny takes the microphone and says a very vague, open-ended statement. Something along the lines of "I look forward to the future".