Songs about Sacred Space
4. “Stone Song” - Zoë Mulford
5. “No Toll in Canaan” - Beth DeSombre
6. “Shorashim” ("Roots") - SONiA & disappear fear
10. “Gentle Arms of Eden” - Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer
11. “The Mountain” - Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer
12. “Pilgrim” - The Kennedys
13. “Milk and Honey” - Eliza Gilkyson
4. “Stone Song” - Zoë Mulford
My people have wandered for so long, we've forgotten where it was we came from
The villagers call us beggars and thieves and suspect us of stealing children
When we break camp in the morning, they're relieved to see us leaving
And the road is long; there is no where that we are welcome
But every father gives his son a treasure he can carry
He says 'this stone marks the center of the world,'
He says 'carry it with you always'
The stranger's tongue may name you, child, the stranger's hand may harm you
But where you are is the center of the world
And one day you will tell your children
That the whole world turns around the stone,
You can chart your place under unfamiliar skies
The whole world turns around the stone
And you alone will know where the pivot lies
Every morning the sun may rise over somewhere that was unexpected
Should I pass this way again, who can say what the road will show me
And the hills and valleys answer to names I did not give them
And the road is long, and its end just another turning
But the stone is round and it fits my hand
Like a story smoothed in telling
He said 'this stone marks the center of the world,'
He said 'carry it with you always'
Take it out and sing to it when the road is lonely
And know that you’re at the center of the world
And one day you will tell your children
That the whole world turns around the stone,
You can chart your place under unfamiliar skies
The whole world turns around the stone
And you alone will know where the pivot lies
You were not born into this road
But I see the road has come to find you
The dust upon your shoes is new and behind you the bridge is broken
And I do not have to ask to know that your compass has betrayed you
And your road is long, there's nobody now to guide you
There is nothing I can give you to aid you on your journey
But a stone to mark the center of the world, I say carry it with you always
What you love is far behind now; let a stranger teach you
To know that you're at the center of the world
And believe in the faith of children
That the whole world turns around the stone,
You can chart your place under unfamiliar skies
The whole world turns around the stone
And you alone will know where the pivot lies
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5. “No Toll in Canaan” - Beth DeSombre
I tried to walk the straight and narrow
On a road both crooked and wide
Hoping to make it to the River Jordan
So I could cross over to the other side
But the way was blocked by the righteous few
Who tried to tell me what to do
Demanding fees to let me through
But there ain’t no toll in Canaan
There ain’t no map, ain’t no plan
We make our way the best we can
There’s no one path to the promised land
And there ain’t no toll in Canaan
I watched them marching into battle
Trumpets sounding, banners unfurled
Claiming the mantle of a pious nation
Bringing the gospel to the heathen world
I stood to protest, mourn, and speak
They said my choices made me weak
I tried to turn the other cheek
‘Cause there ain’t no toll in Canaan
There ain’t no map, ain’t no plan
We make our way the best we can
There’s no one path to the promised land
And there ain’t no toll in Canaan
From near and far the pilgrims gathered
Called by revelation and grace
Everyone traveled on a different journey
Seeking redemption in a common place
And some who prophesy and pray
Insist there’s only one true way
But it’s getting clearer every day
That there ain’t no toll in Canaan
There ain’t no map, ain’t no plan
We make our way the best we can
There’s no one path to the promised land
And there ain’t no toll in Canaan
No, there ain’t no toll in Canaan
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6. “Shorashim” ("Roots") - SONiA & disappear fear
[Note: the liner notes are in both Hebrew and English (and Spanish and Arabic), and I may scan in the Hebrew when I have access to a scanner. In the meantime, here is the translation.]
The roots of the trees on the borders
Don’t care where they grow
The sun and the rain
Never complain
They just keep on feeding...
(the roots of the trees on the borders)
But we understand
The seagulls rest on the buildings at the borders
They fly without a passport
They don’t speak in English or French or Hebrew or Arabic
But we understand
So, if you look down from above
You will see jungles
Next to a desert next to the sea
And if you look up straight ahead
I will see you
And you will see me
I will see you and you will see me
The trees, the seagulls, and man
Were made by God
The borders were made by man
But we understand?
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10. “Gentle Arms of Eden” - Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer
On a sleepy endless ocean when the world lay in a dream
There was rhythm in the splash and roll, but not a voice to sing
So the moon shone on the breakers and the morning warmed the waves
Till a single cell did jump and hum for joy as though to say
This is my home, this is my only home
This is the only sacred ground that I have ever known
And should I stray in the dark night alone
Rock me goddess in the gentle arms of Eden
Then the day shone bright and rounder til the one turned into two
And the two into ten thousand things, and old things into new
And on some virgin beachhead one lonesome critter crawled
And he looked about and shouted out in his most astonished drawl
This is my home ...
Then all the sky was buzzin and the ground was carpet green
And the wary children of the woods went dancin in between
And the people sang rejoicing when the field was glad with grain
This song of celebration from their cities on the plain
This is my home ...
Now there's smoke across the harbor, and there's factories on the shore
And the world is ill with greed and will and enterprise of war
But I will lay my burdens in the cradle of your grace
And the shining beaches of your love and the sea of your embrace
This is my home ...
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11. “The Mountain” - Dave Carter & Tracy Grammer
I was born in a forked-tongued story
Raised up by merchants and drugstore liars
Now I walk on the paths of glory
One foot in ice, one in fire
I see the mountain, the mountain come to me
I see the mountain and that is all I see
Some poor prophet comes; some find solace
Some lay him down in a junkyard bay
Some will chase us and some will call us
Gone, gone, gone in a day
Gone to the mountain, the mountain come to me
I see the mountain and that is all I see
Miller take me and miller grind me
Scatter my bones on the wild green tide
Maybe some rovin’ bird will find me
Over the water we'll ride
Over the mountain, the mountain come to me
I see the mountain and that is all I see
Some build temples and some find altars
Some come in tall hats and robes spun fine
Some in rags, some in gemstone halters
Some push the pegs back in line
Sumerian lyrics:
da-ri kur-niserin-na, pirin zalag, pirin zalag
da-ri kur-niserin-na, dili-du-a, dili-du
[endless mountain of cedar trees, forest of light, forest of light
endless mountain of cedar trees, I walk alone, I walk alone]
I see the mountain, the mountain come to me
I see the mountain and that is all I see
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12. “Pilgrim” - The Kennedys
Born to the idols of circumstance, you watch events unfold
Pure as the broken dream inside your bones
Gentle as the kiss of Judas, child of beaten gold
But the laws of sundown say you've got to leave your father's home
Oh, pilgrim so weary, oh, pilgrim be strong
There's a center of knowing, past coming or going, but the road's so long
So long
Deep inside the well of Jacob, that's your promised land
Where the arms of Venus crumble in your own
The way back out's a parted sea of ever-shifting sands
You can cross it, but you've got to know the name of every stone
Oh, pilgrim so weary, oh, pilgrim be strong
There's a center of knowing, past coming or going, but the road's so long
So long
Preaching to the Pharisees was always easy money
While the drifting gamblers laughed and sang their songs
Now tanks are rolling, baby, through the land of milk and honey
It's time to pack your things, say goodbye, and move along
Oh, pilgrim so weary, oh, pilgrim be strong
There's a center of knowing, past coming or going, but the road's so long
Be strong
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13. “Milk and Honey” - Eliza Gilkyson
Oh, what fools these mortals be,
So tragic and so funny.
Ships of bones that sail the sea
For lands of milk and honey.
The promise of perfection sighs
Into each mortal ear;
Never to be realized
That's how it is ‘round here.
Bound to some relentless gyre
Dispassionate and true
Paying the price for ice and fire
That’s what God’s children do
Sacrifice love’s mystery
For fantasy and pleasure
Doomed to repeat history
Forever and forever
Wayward world I weep for thee
Spinning 'round the sun;
Wellspring of diversity,
Your roads all lead to one road
What man has loosed upon the sea
Cannot be undone;
Oh, what fools we mortals be
Each and every one.
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