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"Lifeblood" is a harmony-infused telling of the story of God's post-flood covenant to Noah from the point of view of a bird, performed by the Spark+Echo Band.
Genesis 9:1-17
Lifeblood
By
The Spark & Echo Band
Credits:
Written by Jonathon Roberts
Musicians: Jonathon Roberts, piano/vocals; Emily Clare Zempel guitar/vocals; Jay Foote, bass; Alexander Foote, percussion
Mixing by Alexander Foote
Mastering by Matt Shane of Masterdisk, NYC
Artist Location: New York City
Curated by:
Jonathon Roberts
2011
Primary Scripture
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This piece is a reaction to Genesis 9:1-17 where God makes a covenant with Noah after the flood, promising that never again will the waters of a flood destroy every living thing.
What we didn't initially notice about this text, and what inspired this song, was this covenant was also with every living thing (verse 9-10) including the birds, etc. We started to think about what that meant for a bird to have this covenant with God. We also wondered what the bird felt like to see the rainbow in the sky for the first time (apparently they see colors well). We also were inspired to think about the importance of lifeblood, that it is special and handling it should not be taken lightly.
The image featured with this song is a watercolor created in 1916 by Spark+Echo Arts leader Charis Carmichael Braun's grandfather. After hearing this song, Charis was reminded of her family's heirloom artwork. She thought that it embodies much of what the song describes. The redness, perhaps symbolic, of the birds' feathers, their dedicated communion with each other, the blooming rose, the distant town with a steeple, what Charis has always imagined to be a "houseboat" half-sketched in the middle ground, her grandfather's unexpected creativity, "has always been a special reassurance to her of the close relationship she has with her family."
Spark Notes
The Artist's Reflection
The Spark & Echo Band is a family outfit of songwriting-storytellers led by husband and wife duo Jonathon Roberts and Emily Clare Zempel. Their music brings forgotten poetry and wild stories from the Bible to life: visions of sparkling wheels in the sky, hunger and thirst, and legends of love as strong as death weave with memorable melodies and captivating rhythms. Drawing from a classical background, influenced by the pianism of Rufus Wainwright and Ben Folds, and emulating Paul Simon’s narratival techniques, Spark & Echo sings epic tales of love and adventure.
The duo has collaborated on three full lengths albums (Spark&Echo, Inheritance, Cities Project), one video album (In the Clocktower), in addition to many theatrical collaborations, this very nonprofit, and two children. They live in beautiful Beacon, New York, with all of the above.
The Spark & Echo Band
About the Artist
White Robe
What a Day
Deep Calls to Deep
Yo Sé
Do You Love Me?
Where Can I Go?
How to Be Free
Flesh
Artist in Residence 2015: Spark & Echo Band
Take to Heart
The Wheels
Frogs
Ruined
Inheritance
The Spark & Echo Band
Other Works By
Lifeblood
You fill the earth, as fear and dread fill my heart.
And every heart of every bird in the sky,
And every creature that creeps, and every fish in the sea.
Though I’m just a bird we share this covenant,
This everlasing covenant,
I am a bird I see the colors in the sky just like you.
Just like you, never again will the waters destory me,
Never again, never again will the waters destroy us.
You hold me in your hand.
You hold me in your hand, though I am just a bird.
You eat my flesh, though I am just a bird.
Though I’m just a bird we share this covenant,
This everlasing covenant,
I am a bird I see the colors in the sky just like you.
Just like you, I am accountable for your lifeblood.
We are accountable, for you are in the image of God.
Though I’m just a bird we share this covenant,
This everlasting covenant.
I am a bird, I see the colors in the sky just like you.
Just like you, never again will the waters destory me.
Never again, never again will the waters destroy us.
And yet, I am in your hands, as a bird, I am.
I’m in your hand, like the green once was.
Though I’m just a bird we share this covenant,
This everlasting covenant.
I am a bird, I see the colors in the sky just like you.
Just like you, never again will the waters destory me.
Never again, never again will the waters destroy us.
Recorded on Spark+Echo Band's album Inheritance
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