We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

I Passed By

from Cities by Jonathon Roberts

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $1 USD  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

  • Full Digital Discography

    5
    releases

    Get all 5 Jonathon Roberts releases available on Bandcamp and save 35%.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Cities, In the Clocktower, Inheritance, Spark & Echo, and Project Paul. , and , .

    Purchasable with gift card

      $22.75 USD or more (35% OFF)

     

about

"I Passed By" personifies Jerusalem, as described in Ezekiel 16:4-42 and Ezekiel 16:59-63

“…Then I passed by and saw you kicking about in your blood, and as you lay there in your blood I said to you, “Live!” I made you grow like a plant of the field. You grew and developed and entered puberty. Your breasts had formed and your hair had grown, yet you were stark naked…” (excerpt)

This was the first piece written for this "Cities" project, many years ago as a piano and vocal solo I used to perform in clubs in NYC. It launched this whole idea of personifying biblical cities. What a startling section of Scripture, of God speaking to Jerusalem as a lover who has betrayed him. Of all of the pieces in this song cycle, this piece has the most lyrics taken straight from the Bible.

My awkward self only halfway pulled off this heavy song in murky dive bars in NYC. I'm so glad it's on this album now, fully realized by Emily and a full ensemble.

lyrics

I passed by
I passed by
I saw you kicking in your blood
And as you lay there, I said “Live”

I made you grow like a plant of the field
And You grew into the most beautiful of jewels
Your breasts were formed, your hair grew
You who were naked and bare

I passed by
I saw you were old enough for love
And as you lay there, I spread my cloak
And covered over you
I gave you my solemn oath
And entered into a covenant with you
And you became mine.

I bathed you with water
Washed your blood
Robed you in linen
Bracelets on your arm, ring in your nose
And you rose, a queen

But you trusted in your beauty and your fame
And lavished favors on anyone who passed by
Your beauty became his

They passed by, your lovers
I saw you gave them our children’s blood
As you lay there I will your body to them
Those you loved and those you hated

They will strip you of your jewels, stone You body
Leave you kicking in your blood, naked and bear
You, who rose a queen

Do you remember
Do you remember, Do you remember
I am the Lord, and I am your lover, your lover, Savior, and friend

credits

from Cities, released February 22, 2017
Emily Clare Zempel: vocals
Jonathon Roberts: piano, drum programming
Ariana Rosen: violin
Kevin Gosa: soprano and alto saxophones
Meaghan Burke: cello
James Hall: trombone

Music, lyrics, and production by Jonathon Roberts

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Jonathon Roberts image

Jonathon Roberts Beacon, New York

Jonathon MT Roberts is a composer and performer inspired by biblical text with a background in classical, jazz and, pop. He collaborates with his wife Emily Clare Zempel for the Spark & Echo band and write off the beaten path music and theatre. Founder of Spark and Echo Arts. ... more

contact / help

Contact Jonathon Roberts

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this track or account

If you like Jonathon Roberts, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Beans joins the show to discuss his album release, "ZWAARD".

listen now