This is the only song I’ve ever “covered” on an album that I first heard on the radio.
I was halfway through graduate school (something I’d decided to take on at the ripe old age of 42), and felt like I was spending my whole life in class, driving back and forth between the university and the zoo where I was doing my research, and driving to my job. My thoughts were pretty much dominated by biology, driving, and when I could take my next nap.
You can imagine my delight, then, when I first heard this sweet, wonderful song. The evolution of life on Earth in under five minutes! Not to mention a truly inspiring chorus, for those times when our treatment of this Eden would otherwise have me in despair.
lyrics
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 fell on the breakers, and the mornings warmed the waves, ‘Til 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 days shone bright and rounder, ‘til the one turned into two, And the two into ten thousand, and the old things into new.
‘Til on some virgin beachhead, one lonesome critter crawled.
And he looked about and shouted out in his most astonished drawl,
Then all the sky was buzzin’, and the ground was carpet-green.
And the wary children of the woods went dancing in between.
The people sang, rejoicing when their fields were glad with grain,
This song of celebration from their cities on the plain.
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, and war.
But I will lay my burdens in the cradle of your grace,
In the shining beaches of your love and the sea of your embrace.
credits
from Horsetamer,
released April 6, 2013
Flute: Barbara O’Brien
French Horn: William Caballero
Percussion: Andrew Reamer
Acoustic Guitars: Dale Cinski
Electric Bass: Jeff Mangone
Piano: Michael Moricz
Cello: Joseph Bishkoff
supported by 12 fans who also own “Gentle Arms of Eden”
Most of Leslie's songs are pretty cool. Purchasing the album on bandcamp gave me the chance of sending her a few bucks for listening to all her stuff on Youtube ;-) alrunia
supported by 11 fans who also own “Gentle Arms of Eden”
During the pandemic, I've been filking online with my parrot, Basil, chirping along from my shoulder. Kanef. suggested that I add Strange Messenger to our repertoire. I hadn't heard it, but when I found you on Bandcamp, I loved it, (and the entire album). And every time I cover Strange Messenger, people are delighted to hear it. Debora VanHeyningen
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