Transmission Lyrics
TRANSMISSION : A Mass in Thirteen Songs
Lyric by j. SNODGRASS
August 2006-June 2007
TRACK ONE : In
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…So weary that I can’t think clearly…
…So weary that I can’t think clearly…
So weary that I can’t think clearly
See and hear, feel and fear can be deceiving
Wanna believe but can’t find meaning
Are you near, can you even hear me?
Do you want me to crawl or to walk?
Give up or give you all I’ve got?
Burn for a cause or live in the dark?
Has the call been lost, was it all just talk?
In the grid we mill in file
Give this day our daily grind
Killing time to live our lives
Civilized but blind to Zion
Down below the sidewalk signs we’re
Stifled by the spice of life in
Winding vines of Subway lines
Depart, arrive, but blind to Zion
Do we spiral down to die?
Or spiral high to the light of Zion?
Does it matter what’s thought or just what’s done?
When the body is gone, does the soul go on?
Will we burn below for too much fun?
Is there other life around suns beyond?
Can fight or flight defy the strong?
Does might make right when might is wrong?
Do our words to the father have to go through a son?
Do our works count for nothing? Can our struggles be won?
Glory to you – For the gift of life you’ve lent
Glory to you – For the mysteries of faith
Glory to you – For the messengers you’ve sent
Glory to you – To bring peace ‘fore it’s too late
Glory to you – For the gift of life you’ve lent
Glory to you – For the mysteries of faith
Glory to you – For the messengers you’ve sent
Glory to you – To ease our fear of fate
Another Thursday night, another drink with my friends
Another double shift and my career is on the mend
Another fifty-two weeks, another twelve months rent
Another pile of envelopes to sign a check and send
Another recession, we’re barely filling our skins
Another election, the politicians win again
Another aggression, we’ve got freedom to defend
Another prediction, guess we’re nearing the end
TRACK TWO : God Help Me
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Shadow of the pyramid, crack of the whip
Rattle of the shackles as they packed us in the ship
Our history was strangled in the missionary’s grip
I earned myself a hanging but I couldn’t stop my lips
Lost my land in the wake and my limbs to the mill
Turned to ash at the stake at the inquisitor’s will
Dug a massacre-grave I was killed to fulfill
When I shake with the rage and god help me – I can’t sit still.
God help me – I can’t sit still.
In a passage of her temple where I gave up my ghosts
So brave and bold and gentle as a wave against the coast
She led me to the center of a maze and blazed aglow
My shepherdess and savior brought me back into the fold
In my fright and desire, guided by a primal will
Been the bull and the fighter closing in for the kill
Been the fly and the spider in a spiraling thrill
Like a moth to the fire god help me – I can’t sit still
God help me – I can’t sit still
If I rave and drool and holler can you stop me with a pill?
If I make another dollar can I knock off all these bills?
Can I wade through the squalor? Go out thrashing in the swill
I’m a dog in a choke-chain collar – but I can’t sit still
God help me – I can’t sit still
God help me – I can’t sit still
God help me – I can’t sit still.
I’m a dog in a choke-chain collar but – I can’t sit still
TRACK THREE : Canticle of the Sun (Based on the Poem by Saint Francis)
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All praise to you, most high and holy Lord
All creatures, in a chorus sing your blessings evermore
You send your spirit for us, everything we share is yours
From first to last and always you’ll be honored and adored
All praise to you, beloved Lord
You gave us brother sun so radiant bright
To comfort us by day and grant us vision with his light
You gave us sister moon to see us through the lonely night
And stars to shine upon us here on earth from Heaven’s height
May we be worthy in your sight
And show your wisdom we implore you
To all your children here before you
To thrive in your creation and forgive what we endure
Our trials and tribulations in your holy name, Oh Lord
We praise you Lord for brother Fire
Who keeps with us our watch by night with merry dance and gentle roar
(The sacred blaze of brother fire)
We praise you Lord, for sister Water
Who courses through all living forms, who springs eternal, keeps us pure
(The sacred grace of sister Water)
We praise you Lord, for brother Wind
Who brings the storm before the calm, and seasons in their cosmic dance
(The sacred change of brother wind)
We praise you Lord, for Mother Earth
From whom all great and small are born, adorned with flowers, fruits and plants
(The sacred ways of mother Earth)
And show your wisdom we implore you
To all your children here before you
To thrive in your creation and forgive what we endure
Our trials and tribulations in your holy name, Oh Lord
We praise you Lord, for sister mortal death
Who comes for everyone, the best and worst, the cursed and blessed
For sinners reaping harvests of their cruel inequities
And saints who gave the full extent of their ability
We pray with great humility
TRACK FOUR : A Reading from the Book of Love (Song of the Song of Songs)
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I. The Bride
You kiss me with the kisses of your mouth
As I am lifted from my dreams
Your image in the mist and whisper
Sound dissolve in sunlight beams
As shadows flee, and the veil of black recedes
As the day it breaks and breathes, lover…come back to me
My skin the sun has gazed upon
And in the haze and rays of dawn
Your maze of range to graze upon
Come cradle in the fragrant lawn
The morning rain will make us one
The day has come to awaken love
The day has come to awaken love
Where you recline in light of noon
I’ll fly to lie beside you soon
With Spices, wine and ripest fruit
Have my desire in finest bloom
Baptized in your divine perfume
The time is right, desire consumes
The time is right, we’re wise but new
Our couch is green, our rafters pine
Our house is cedar beams and grafted vines
The clouds our canopy on high
This ground our Eden ‘neath the sky
Your strong left arm beneath my head
Your right my sheet, your side my bed
But I won’t sleep for love is ready
And I won’t rest till love is dead
I won’t rest till love is dead
Bring your best for love is ready
Bring your best for love is ready
Our couch is green, our rafters pine
Our house is cedar beams and grafted vines
The clouds our canopy on high
This ground our Eden ‘neath the sky
II. Daughters of Jerusalem (Not on the Album)
Woman :
So let society in all their high piety
Slant their eyes and quietly revile me
Think I’ll die of chastisement? Try me
I’ll smile though all mankind may despise me
Long as you lie beside me – don’t deny me
United we’ll defy them mightily, nightly
Daughters of Jerusalem : [To the tune of “Our couch is green...”]
But where is he, this man so fine?
The shepherd you’ve been seeking day and night?
Woman :
As the gazelles and does run wild
Love won’t be rushed, it knows its time
He leaps on the peaks, the most gallant of stags
I’ll march like an army in banners and flags
To follow the track of his lambs to the pasture
We’ll bathe out in fountains of ravenous rapture…ever after
Daughters of Jerusalem : [To the tune of “Our couch is green...]
But see the setting of the sun
And still no sign of him
Woman : [Completing previous line]
My friend will come
Man :
Arise at last, my fairest one
Our time for wine and song’s begun
You’ve captured my heart, my sister my bride
You’ve captured my heart with a glance of your eyes
III. The Bridegroom
Woman :
Lift me with the kisses of your mouth
In shadow’s reign or break of day
I’m overcome, my love abounds
The flashing of a raging flame
I can’t contain the thunder sound
A passion that the grave can’t tame
Not underground or up the mountain
Waves of rain can’t wash away
A hundred rumbling floods can’t drown it
Wealth and fame are put to shame
Tons of money can’t surround it
But it’s yours – just say my name
But it’s yours – just say my name
But it’s yours – just say my name
Our couch is green, our rafters pine
Our house is cedar beams and grafted vines
The clouds our canopy on high
This ground our Eden ‘neath the sky
Yes call me in the language of your eyes
Your words enticing, honest, wise
Your navel like a bowl of wine
And so like jewels your rounded thighs
Your breasts ripe clusters on the vine
Your back a tract of paradise
Come be my fear and my desire
My true believer and my bride
Woman :
Lift me with the kisses of your mouth
In shadow’s reign or break of day
I’m all undone, my love abounds
The flashing of a raging flame
I can’t contain the thunder sound
A passion that the grave can’t tame
Not underground or up the mountain
Waves of rain can’t wash away
A hundred rumbling floods can’t drown it
And it’s yours – just say my name
And it’s yours – just say my name
And it’s yours – just say my name
Both:
As the shadows flee, the veil of black recedes
As the day it breaks and breathes, lover…Stay with me
TRACK FIVE : Thirteen
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[Open with Hebrew version of psalm]
[Monks]
My enemies grow stronger in their taunting
On every path I walk I am assailed
I lay awaiting death or your responding
My foes rejoice and say that they’ve prevailed
[Woman]
And my friends with best intentions
Say they hate to see me suffer
That I’ll come back to my senses
Fail this quest or give it up, but
All the wealth and pleasure I could earn would never be enough
Every measure in this world is empty…without your love
[Monks]
Yes in your steadfast love I’ve always trusted
My heart will dance in praise, my soul will soar
When tears are washed away in tides of justice
The servant’s cries are answered by the Lord
[Woman]
Let me be your lowest servant
I’ll be faithful, cling to you
Give me rhythm, give me verse
I’ll play each day and sing for you
Don’t need silver in my purse, just nourishment of sacred truth
Grant me courage, say the word, I’ll bring my everything to you
TRACK SIX : Beattitude
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So Blessed are the ones who join in spirit with the poor
And may the Lord send comfort to the hearts of those who mourn
Fulfill the ones who hunger now and thirst for righteousness
Inspire the kind and gentle, may their light inspire the rest
As you give, may you receive
As you lift up those in need
…And as your visions lead you
As you live, may you believe
As Blessed are the merciful, may mercy be their prize
So Keep the pure in heart, may we someday see through their eyes
Give courage to God’s children working toward a world in peace (toward as one syllable)
Or doing time for honesty, may they too be released
As you give, may you receive
As you lift up those in need
…And as your wishes lead you
As you live, may you believe
Your voice may be condemned when men speak falsely to deplore you
Rejoice, you’re on the righteous path where prophets walked before you
As you give, may you receive
As you lift up those in need
…And as your wisdom leads you
As you live, may you believe
The kings of popularity will know the sting of mockery
And find no consolation at the end of selfish celebration
When the stuffed are starving they will suffer from their gluttony
And peels of spiteful laughter will give way to tears of desolation
The tables will be turned
The first will be last and the last will be first
The servants will be raised up and the masters will learn
That no man’s power on this Earth…can flash forever
TRACK SEVEN : Sermon (Instrumental)
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TRACK EIGHT : God, Part III
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Love, love I believe in
I believe in the father
Who lives and creates, who fixes and breaks
Who gives and who takes, who listens with patience
To children all ages, religions and races
In cities and nations and wilderness places
He liberates
Love, love I believe in
I believe in a prophet
Who listened to pain and shivered with rage
Read victimization on history’s pages
His mission of grace and his vision of change
Is still on its way to deliver the slaves
Yes, and still he waits
I believe in creation and change, inspiration that shaped
All the peaks and the hills, all the seasonal yield,
Every seed on the breeze, every leaf of the trees
And the eagles and weasels and Beatles and fleas
All that breeds in the field, all that feeds on the seas
Took form how you please…
So how could I believe
You messed up when making me?
Am I really so unclean?
Did you make my needs so evil?
Just to breathe and eat and breed and sleep and feel what you reveal
And use my reason now and then to do my best to comprehend the world I see
TRACK NINE : Trouble I’ve Seen
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What does it mean, the trouble I’ve seen?
Am I under your thumb when I can’t reach release?
Get busted unjustly for color and speech
Get punished and pummeled, do you suffer with me?
When I’m stuck in the fear and it’s a struggle to dream?
TRACK TEN : Confession
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We humbly ask the mercy of your love…
For words we’ve said and haven’t said
For what we’ve done and left undone
For harm we’ve planned and scars we’ve left
For promises we haven’t kept
For holy wars, oppressive missions
For masquerade and superstition
For taking sides and laying blame
For when we taught but failed to listen
TRACK ELEVEN : The Stranger (Original Lyric)
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At first the nomads flourished on what God would stir the earth to bring
Until they chose to give control of earthly things to earthly kings
Administrators called for order, dreamers talked of equal freedom
Soldiers walked patrols to keep the needy from the walls of Eden
A stranger came to town, said ‘see how nature nourishes the birds
Who pay no church or crown,’ and workers took a break to hear his words
The king’s high priests and chief advisors heard of speeches he had made
Decided that the stranger and his teachings had to be betrayed
Said take this rhythm, take these blues
And may this hymn give strength to you
To bring about God’s kingdom here on Earth with everything you do
So take this vision, make it true
The stranger disappeared and yet some dreamers still uphold his cause
Administrators took his words and turned them into holy laws
Engraving idols of the stranger, wearing in robes and golden crown
To terrify the workers with a holy king to hold them down
Some say this king will come again in judgement and the Earth will burn
And all who broke his laws will suffer punishment when he returns
But I had thought thanks-giving and compassion were the stranger’s way
And love for God and neighbor is a truth that cannot be betrayed
And take this rhythm, take these blues
And may this hymn give strength to you
To bring about God’s kingdom here on Earth with everything you do
So take this vision, make it true
With strangers, neighbors, saviors, ravers, saints and angels, raise a song
As one with some whose work is done and others here or yet to come
Say take this rhythm, take these blues
And may this hymn give strength to you
To bring about God’s kingdom here on Earth with everything you do
So take this vision, make it true
Creator -
We raise up your name and give praise to your reign
As heaven is sacred may Earth be the same
Sustain us this day in your patience and grace
As we forgive neighbors, forgive us our shame
When faced with temptation give strength to refrain
And save us from suffering injustice and hate
The kingdom till the end of days
The power till the end of days
The glory till the end of days
Are your creation, your domain – Amen.
TRACK TWELVE : Tomorrow and Today
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Is there a heaven? God only knows.
Who’s gonna get there, what it takes to go
Do you have a destiny foretold?
Will you get to be young? Will you live to be old?
Have you taken more than you need to survive?
Is it faith or hate that keeps you alive?
If you believe in fate, is there a reason to cry?
If you believe in fate, is there a reason to try?
When you’re weary, lost in sorrow
Look to faith to guide your way
You don’t know what’s gonna happen tomorrow
You don’t even know what’s gonna happen today
TRACK THIRTEEN : Out
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I asked my savior, take me with you please
Up to a world a righteousness and peace
And he answered, take me with you please
Out to a world of righteousness and peace
