Written by Jonathon Roberts
Based on Galatians 5:1
lyrics
I looked in the belly of the whale and, Sister, it’s not pretty
I’ve seen the factory, Baby it’s a sin
I climbed the blowhole; there you were standing right there next to Jesus saying,
“Come on, my friend, get me out of this holy mess.”
So we fell into a dingy, sailed away into the night,
And watched the whale vomit the rock bands in the moonlight
Somewhere between Beale Street and the basement of Belmont
I remembered that I love you
And I love Jesus, despite those tacky songs
Beale Street gave me back all of my rhythm and Stax gave me back my soul
I was afraid there wasn’t anymore left for you
Then I found myself at the Country Music Hall of Fame standing next to Johnny Cash singing,
“Love’s still burnin’, it’s you that just went out.”
So I fell into the ring and took off my Nudie Suit
To see a heart still burnin’ for you, my love, so sweet
Somewhere between Graceland and the earshot of a boy band
I remembered that I love you
And I love Jesus, despite those lies told on his name
Back in the dingy there’s trouble a-brewin’
The ocean’s stormy the whale’s spewin’
Tepid hearts and empire marauders
Pirates circling every side, it doesn’t look good, too young to die
Jesus, please, get me out of this holy mess
He says, “Well, I love you cynic, I love you lamb, oh, take my hand and understand
That death to me is more than magic ceasing.”
The ocean fills with vomit, life is lost and life redeemed
Truth and bloodshed sure are ugly, the Savior’s dead, the sun is muddy
We’re in an ocean, a dingy, all alone
Beale Street gave me back all of my rhythm and Stax gave me back my soul
I was afraid there wasn’t anymore left for you
Then I found myself at the Pearly Gates standing right there next to Jesus saying,
“Death of me is all you need to be free.”
So I fell into the glow and took off my skin and bones
To see a soul burnin’ for you my love so sweet!
credits
from In the Clocktower,
released August 15, 2014
IN THE CLOCKTOWER Album Credits:
Emily Clare Zempel: Vocals, Guitar, Ukulele, Bassoon, Percussion,
Jonathon Roberts: Vocals, Piano, Harmonica, Accordion
Bitter Drink and Stranger written by Emily Clare Zempel.
All other songs written by Jonathon Roberts.
Audio recorded and mixed by J Scott Hinkley of Flat World Productions (FlatWorldPro.com)
Video by Michael Markham of KiteMonkey Productions (MichaelMarkhamOnline.com)
Mastered by Christopher Colbert
Cover Art by Charis Carmichael Braun
Filmed and recorded live at the Clocktower Lofts, 112 Lincoln Ave., Bronx, 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
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