From the recording Lifted
I have spent many, many days and nights along the Gulf Coast -- playing music. Sailing and swimming. Catching crabs, walking the sand. Smelling the decay and renewal, the salt and the funk of that grand geospheric cathedral. I worked a shrimp boat out on that water and have often wondered how many nautical miles I was from the Deep Horizon spill that befouled the sacred sea.
From that tangible holiness, that mystery and reverence, that swoon and sweat comes "Lifted."
Many thanks to Claire Campbell for her high priestess vocals on this. Also Dede Vogt on slinky bass and Brandon Bush on spooky piano.
Lyrics
Lifted
c2004
The stick the stone the flesh and the bone
the mighty mighty power of the great unknown
the sky the mud the breath and the blood
I am lifted
I wore a cross of gold around my neck for years
thinkin' it would drive away my doubts and fears
and tho' I did not get relief or find redemption
I found some pleasure in sins I will not mention
(chorus)
Day after day I took a vow of silence
to cleanse my mouth from spoken acts of violence
and tho' I did not purify a single word
I cannot believe all the things I overheard
(chorus)
Would I be saved or sanctified in the name of love
measured by all below or up above
would I account and explain for my every thought and my action
or is every moment perfect satisfaction
(chorus)
So who or what is the measure of all that's holy
who or what is bathed in the light of the glory glory
and when and where will it all be reconciled
so we walk it step by step and mile by mile
(chorus)