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Composer Jonathon Roberts' work I Am a Fool is a setting of Paul's vivid writings in 2 Corinthians in which the apostle "boasts" of his sufferings and waxes on foolishness.
2 Corinthians 11:16-29
I Am a Fool
By
Jonathon Roberts
Credits:
Musicians: Jonathon Roberts: voice, piano, FX; Emily Clare Zempel: voice, clarinet, bassoon
Artist Location: New York City
Curated by:
Jonathon
2010
Primary Scripture
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This song and sound design sets our adaptation of some of the Apostle Paul's dynamic writings to the Corinthians. Paul is all over the place using sarcasm, graphic imagery, humor and frustration to get his point across. I love it. Here is an excerpt from the original text:
Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then receive me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool. Since many are boasting in the way the world does, I too will boast. You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise! In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or pushes himself forward or slaps you in the face. To my shame I admit that we were too weak for that!
Credits: The “Train Whistle” sound was made by combining and manipulating Truck and Train samples from Freesound.org by users euroblues and daveincamas.
Spark Notes
The Artist's Reflection
Jonathon Roberts is a composer and sound designer for games, film, theatre, and ensembles. His style grew out of classical and jazz training, and evolved through quality life adventures: touring the country in an RV with a one person theater piece on the Apostle Paul, living in Brooklyn with an improv music ensemble, performing in a downtown NYC absurdist comedy band, and a long stint writing music for the renowned slot machine company, High 5 Games. He has released four albums including the latest, Cities a song cycle personifying biblical cities. He created the popular podcast/web series ComposerDad Vs. Bible, in which ComposerDad accepts intense compositional challenges from a mysterious Bible while out with his kids. He frequently collaborates on music and theater projects with his wife, actor Emily Clare Zempel. They live in Beacon, NY, with their two boys and a tangled box of electrical cords. www.jonathonroberts.com
Jonathon Roberts
About the Artist
Loving Arms
I Make Tents
The Sower
Response
There Is Room
These are My Sons
Consider Me a Partner
Weakness
The Day Is Almost Here
Surrogate
Babbler
Remember Me
Prayer
How Beautiful
The Constant
Ecclesiastes Cows
Blessing
Fools for Christ
More Than Rubies
Only a Few Years Will Pass
Dear Friend
Jonathon Roberts
Other Works By
I Am a Fool
It’s no wonder for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light
It’s not surprising then, that all of his friends are dressed up in righteousness
O I’m too weak for this
It’s no wonder you put up with fools when you are so very wise
They slap your face and then boast of your slavery, so too I will join their cries
For I am a fool. Please take me as a fool ’cause I am I am a fool,
take me as a fool ’cause I am and I’ve no where else to go
To my shame I am too weak for this
It’s no wonder you follow the first man who pushes his way through the crowd
He enslaves your skin, exploiting your name, he boasts to the world out loud
So I, too, will boast: I’ve been beaten and stoned,
I am bleeding, naked and left for dead, I’m in prison now,
I’m shipwrecked and sore, I’m weak but I am proud
For I am a fool. Take me as a fool ’cause I am.
I am a fool, there’s power in weakness, my strength was never my own.
It’s no wonder for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light
It’s not surprising then, it’s not surprising then…
For I am a fool. Please take me as a fool ’cause I am.
I am a fool, slavery is safer than living your life on a bus.
To my shame I am too weak for this.
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