Welcome to:
Scattershot Symphony
The Music of Peter Link
(That’s me.)

People ask me, “Why “Symphony? You’re not a classical composer.” Well, Wikipedia defines “Symphony” as: an extended musical composition most often written by composers for orchestra – often presented in several movements.
And so, I bring you the music of a lifetime of composition – often presented in several movements. That’s the nature of these podcasts – a scattershot look at a lifetime of music …

So, strap on them headphones.
We’re 90% music with just a smattering of commentary.

So for god sakes,
(Crowd)
Turn it up!

This week being the twentieth episode of this podcast, I prefer to let the music do the talkin’. However, if you need to know more about me, please visit Wikipedia.com – Peter Link.

This episode is entitled
“Beyond Pop”
Exploring the Unknown

At some point, in a life of song writing, I had to ask myself, “Where am I going with all this?” How many “I want you, I need you, I love you songs” must I write? Can I write? So, to a certain extent, hopefully maintaining structure and foundation and the fundamentals of songwriting, I decided to just write, write anything that comes to mind in any way I wanna write it. Don’t ignore the fundamentals — just don’t be stuck to them. Follow impulse and trust that structure will simply be there intuitively. What evolves from this choice is the content of Episode 20. Proven Pop structure, to the winds. Like flying in my dreams. Just let go and see where it all takes you … Thank you for joining me.

Let us begin.

This first offering is simply an opener. It’s short. It’s purpose is just to get things started on the right foot. It was one of two openers that we used for the Jenny Burton Experience for a period of over ten years. The group started this song in the aisles of the club where we performed — in the dark. It was very effective because the voices, the singers in JBX, were all very good and their voices assured the audience immediately that they had not wasted their money by coming, and that they were in for something very special for the rest of the evening. It has no ending because it was a direct segue into the rousing first song of the set when the entire group, plus Jenny, then took the stage.

Hallelujah
Performed by The Jenny Burton Experience
Music and Lyrics by Peter Link
Arranged by Margaret Dorn

Let’s start with a Hallelujah
Let’s start with a Hallelujah
Let’s start with a Hallelujah
Let’s begin with a Hallelujah

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

There is music in our lives
There is music in the air all around us
There’s a spirit in our lives
And the music and the spirit are one

There is music in our lives
When the music is in your life
There is music in the air all around us
And you’re feelin’ so fine
There’s a spirit in our lives
And the spirit goes over you [2, 3, Hallelujah 4x]
And the music and the spirit are one
And it touches your mind

There is music in our lives
In the rush of a Hallelujah
There is music in the air all around us
You begin to unwind
There’s a spirit in our lives
And the hunger inside of you
And the music and the spirit are one
Is just but a mem’ry in time

Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Her album, Silk Road, marked Julia Wade’s arrival at the threshold of a new evolution in her music, not only on a sacred level, but also with an in-depth look at the issues of our world at large and the individual human condition.

It came to us that the Internet is today’s Silk Road. It connects the people of the world and transports ideas among its people. Yesteryear it might have taken months for a new idea to travel from Europe to China and back again, but today even the common man knows this morning what happened nearly everywhere last night.

So, join Julia on her travels down the Silk Road as she explores continents and cultures of interconnected thought through the power of Inspirational music. This was the intent of the entire album.

But I felt we needed one song that would be a summarizing statement for this groundbreaking album. Hence the title song, Silk Road. I believe it is a perfect example of the type of song that today’s podcast presents — one that, in itself, breaks traditions and runs to the edges of the cliff.

Silk Road
Performed by Julia Wade
Music and Lyrics by Peter Link

Traveling down the Silk Road
Traveling down the Silk Road
Weaving the silver threads of knowledge
We spin our lives
Traveling down the Silk Road

Traveling down the Silk Road
Traveling down the Silk Road
Spanning a world in evolution
We journey on
Traveling down the Silk Road

We’re traveling down the Silk Road
To a different drum
To a different sound
To a better world
To a higher ground

We have a chance now
There’s a Silk Road connecting hearts and minds
Showing all mankind
Just what could be
And what should be
On the Silk Road

It’s a revolution of the common man
Saying “just let us live our lives in peace”
No sleepless nights,
No crying child
No fear, you hear?
No bloodshed
No thousands dead on CNN
Just peace instead
On the Silk Road

In ancient times this road transported
Silk and satin
Herbs and spices
Cinnamon ginger
Clove and musk
Ivory jade glass and gold
The intercourse of mankind young and old

The Golden Peaches of Samarkand
Ostrich eggs and opium
Buddhism!

Traveling down the Silk Road
Traveling down the Silk Road
Bridging the gap between the families
Of all mankind
Traveling down the Silk Road

Today
This same road
Spans the earth
Weaving its silver thread
Today
In the same way
Thoughts are born
As their ideas spread

More and more the road goes inward
Weaving through paths of consciousness
Spanning the concepts of many a mind
Traveling the innermost journey

Yes more and more the road goes inward
To a world beyond space and time

[Short Interlude]

Today we still travel this road
It’s a different time
But the same old tale
Trying to bridge two worlds
But on a larger scale

It happened in America
With Martin Luther King
It happened in India
With Mahatma Gandhi
It happened in Egypt
With the people
The common man
The common man
The common man

Traveling down the Silk Road
Traveling down the Silk Road
Chasing the Age of Information
And on we go
Traveling down the Silk Road

Traveling down the Silk Road
Traveling down the Silk Road
Bridging the thoughts and grand ideas
Of all mankind
Traveling down the Silk Road

Traveling down the Silk Road
Traveling down the Silk Road
Weaving the silver threads of knowledge
We spin our lives
Traveling down the Silk Road

Traveling down the Silk Road

Traveling down the Silk Road

This next offering takes a fun and introspective look at the concept of hunger — not only gastronomic, but also through the eyes of the impulsively driven.

Emily Bindiger, a flawless vocalist and one of the most sought-after studio vocalists in New York for decades, kicks it off and then is joined by Julia for the second act of the song.

The song comes from Julia’s Duets – Woman 2 Woman album — 10 Duets sung by Julia and her wondrous band of super talented lady friends. 10 musical conversations between wise women in the life of Julia Wade exploring subjects like passion, sisterhood, comedy, God, femininity, music, life and death — and, of course, hunger.

Perhaps you too are hungry. I am, just writing about it.

Hungry
Performed by Julia Wade and Emily Bindiger
Music and Lyrics by Peter Link

What’s that you got on your plate, Lady
It looks just like something I’m dying to eat
So chocolaty gooey deliciously sweet
The pastry chef’s triumphant piquant sweet treat
I find myself ravenous
Filled with an avarice
Weak-kneed and flushed
With a rising heat

Watching you swoon
From across the room
I am eyeing your spoon
With jealousy
Simply put
GIVE IT TO ME!
I’m hungry!

I’m hungry
I’m famished
I’m craving
I’m itching
I’m thirsty
I’m starving
Insatiable
A bottomless pit
If I could, I’d quit

No an’ I can’t get no satisfaction
Chasing ev’ry wild attraction
Life’s become a mad distraction
Always being hungry
I’m hungry!

However, hunger comes in many colors…
For instance…

What’s that you got on your mind, Tootsie
You’re livin’ a life that I’m dyin’ to try
You’re pushin’ ahead with that look in yer eye
As you grab at each chance and you reach for the sky
I’m simply too tenuous
But find myself envious
Filled with ambition
But much too shy
Watching you soar
From across the floor
And my mind’s in a roar
With jealousy
Simply put
Wish it were me!
I’m hungry!

I’m hungry
I’m famished
I’m craving
I’m itching
I’m thirsty
I’m starving
Insatiable
Two bottomless pits
Two voracious misfits

No an’ I can’t get no satisfaction
Chasing ev’ry wild attraction
Life’s become a mad distraction
Always being hungry
I’m hungry
Why can’t we just calm the rabbit down?

So…
What if we changed the ultimate aim?
Yeah, what if we changed the game?

What would you change in your life, dear Jules

I’d wish contentment with all I require in life
I’d wish to turn off the pain of desire
And I’d wish to cool down this raging fire

Ah the malaise of your life’s discontent
It troubles you so
In your hunger and lust
And the thirst to succeed…

Why don’t we stop
Oh and just be at peace
With the good life that God has given us

Simply put
Why don’t we cool the desire
I’m hungry to cool down the fire
I’m hungry to just be myself
I am hungry to stop being hungry
Hungry to stop being hungry

No an’ I can’t get no satisfaction
Chasing ev’ry wild attraction
Life’s become a mad distraction
Always being hungry
Hungry…
Hungry!

I had a dream. In it, I was on a boat somewhere in the middle of the ocean. It was night. I fell overboard. No one knew. The boat moved on unknowingly. So I began to swim. I could swim faster under the water than on top of it. And for some reason, gratefully required no breathing apparatus.

As I swam, a ghost appeared before me in the murky water, beckoning me to follow him through the water. Perhaps it was my Ghost, perhaps not. I never found out. I also never knew where it was he wanted me to go. Was it to safety or was it on down to the bottom?

But then others came up from the bottom to cheer me on, or perhaps simply out of curiosity as to who it was that might join them. There had obviously been some shipwreck there in the blackness below me as I swam. The other ghosts came from the shipwreck.

Clearly when I awoke, I jotted down the basics as fast as I could remember. So now, please join me in the murky blackness of the depths.

Ghost in the Water
Performed by Peter Link
Music and Lyrics by Peter Link

I fell overboard
Dark of night
Man overboard
Lost from sight
Started swimmin’ in the water
All alone
It was me and the water
Tryin’ to get home in my dream

The waves were like walls on either side of me
I swam up them and down them
Suddenly there was a man, a ghost
Rising up through the water

He rose over me
A naked man
He then beckoned me
On I swam

There were ghosts in the water
Children too
Following me through the water
Through the blue of my dream

Each of them watching to see when I drown
Each of them waiting to take me back down
Each of them curious if I might survive
Wishing that they were alive

It’s the ghost and me in the rolling sea
And the fear dies down inside of me
Now where I’m goin’ is the great unknown
I’m just tryin’ to get home

There are ghosts in the water as I climb the waves
Ghosts in the water from their murky graves
And they watch in silence as I go it alone
Tryin’ to get back home

I’m just tryin’ to get back home

There was Jose Miguel Cerone who fell from the mast
An inexperienced seaman from Sanlucar de Barrameda

Abigail von Stuttfeldt
Who went down with her vast fortune tucked away in boxes in the hold

Little Jimmy Patterson with his older sister Kate
Off to see the world with Grandpa Higgins
Separated when the ship went down when gramps went off to find his own life jacket
Still holding hands, still ready to see the world

Bartholomew Oliver Smith
Who was the only one to bail out from his P-38 in flames, but “Oh my God, the chute don’t work…oh yes, and call me Bart”

And a naked man who lost it all and no longer remembers “What the hell happened?”
How the hell he got there
Who he was

Ghosts all
Living only partially
Stuck inside the sea

So it’s the ghosts and me in the rolling sea
And the fear dies down inside of me
Now where I’m goin’ is the great unknown
I’m just tryin’ to get home

There are ghosts in the water as I climb the waves
Ghosts in the water from their murky graves
And they watch in silence as I go it alone
Tryin’ to get back home

We’re all tryin’ to get back home

We all come from the deep blue sea
We’re all swimmin’ through this endless dream
We all have these trials to some degree
We’re all just tryin’ to get home

Tryin’ to get back home
Tryin’ to get back home
Tryin’ to get back home

Pre-pandemic, I wrote, along with bookwriting and lyricist partner, Ragan Courtney, a musical entitled Searching For My Father, an original story about a boy who early in life completely loses all faith in God when his Father dies an early death. In an attempt to restore his faith, he is miraculously visited by a number of famous time-traveling Bible figures who tell him their stories hoping to help restore that faith.

One such visitor is Moses, the writer, or perhaps the amanuensis who copied down the 10 Commandments as given to him by God.

He tells his story to our somewhat belligerent boy in hopes that he can soften the boy’s hard-nosed stand against any kind of God ordained miracle. It is, of course, a more modern retelling than the Bible’s. After all, it is over two thousand years later.

The Ten Commandments
Performed by Peter Link
Music and Lyrics by Peter Link

Within days the morale began to diminish. Oh, our prayers had been answered, but…but had we been played a dirty trick? We had nowhere to go. And as those years went by, as we wandered the desert, I watched my people lose faith…In a way, I could not blame them. I, m-m-myself, wondered. As faith diminished, so did civility, decorum, order, law…law? Ha…we had no law.

So I headed up the mountain
To have a talk with God…
Yeah, to have a talk with God before it’s too late
But it was God who did all the talkin’
That day oh yeah
When I was climbin’ up the mountain
And the trumpet called
(And the trumpet called)
And the thunder roared
(And the thunder roared)
And the lightning flashed
And the mountain burned in fire

Tell the story, Moses. You tell your story!

Now I had been called to stand before God
So I climbed Mount Sinai through the fire
As the mountain quaked around me
I stood before the Lord
Yes, I stood before the Lord
Glory be! What a moment!
Glory be! What a moment in my life!
I remember him saying
Moses, my man, now ya’ better take notes
Yeah, ya’ better take notes
Cuz’ I got ten things to tell ya’
Yes I got ten ta’ tell ya’
There are ten things ta’ tell ya’
So ya’ better grab a rock an’ write it all down
Ready?
I’m ready, Lord!
Get set!
I’m ready, Lord!
Here we go!!
I’m ready, Lord! An’ I’m listenin’, I’m listenin’, I’m listenin’!

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Yes the Lord forbade us any other gods
No no no
He demanded our respect in a multitude of ways
Yes He told us not to bow down to none but him
And in a voice that moved like a wave ‘cross the mountains
And swept across the earth a thousand miles wide
He told us how we had to behave
Ah yes I had been called to stand before God
And yet never before so humbled
I was the chosen an’ the messenger then
Cuz I remembered ev’ry single one of the ten!
Well now…that ain’t no big deal now Moses
Cuz he put it all down in stone
Yeah that’s right!
He put it all down in stone
Yeah, ya’ got me there!

And the trumpet called
(And the trumpet called)
And the thunder roared
(And the thunder roared)
And the lightning flashed
And the mountain burned in fire

And as the light show stops, we see Moses standing there with the finished stone tablets.

So now read to the world whatcha got in your hands, Moses
Read us whatcha got in your hands

But they already know this stuff.

You preach, Moses!

Well OK…
He insisted that we all show mercy to our fellow man
That we must always honor our elders
An’ that we honor life
(We honor life)
An’ that we honor love
(We honor love)

An’ that we love one another
He set forth the laws of civilization
That would make the ol’ world work
For all time
For all time
An’ I got to be the messenger!
God made ME the messenger!!
Well now…that ain’t no big deal now Moses
Cuz you weren’t ex’actly doin’ it alone
We got all them ministers an’ preachers out there
Just a spreadin’ the word
Well, that’s right. History makes of me a creator, yeah, a poet, but, in truth, I was just one of the messengers.

And here I am again a lot later
The centuries gone by
And yet again…a messenger
Bringing the truth to you

Now you must honour thy father and thy mother
That thy days may be long
Upon the land which the Lord thy God hath given thee
Yes Honour thy father and thy mother
That thy days may be long

Is that a threat?
No, my child, it is called a Commandment. It is a command. And if I were you, I would pay some serious attention to it.

(The singing starts strong, but fades as they disappear.)
Cuz when your trumpet calls
(When your trumpet calls)
And the thunder roars
(And the thunder roars)
And the lightnings flash
And your mountain burns in fire

Ya’ better be ready…

Cuz when your trumpet calls
(When your trumpet calls)
And the thunder roars
(And the thunder roars)
And the lightnings flash
And your mountains burn in fire
Ya’ better be ready, young man, ya’ better be ready…

Cuz when your trumpet calls
(When your trumpet calls)
And the thunder roars
(And the thunder roars)
And the lightnings flash
And your mountains burn in fire

Since this is the season to be jolly, let us now dedicate the rest of our Beyond Pop episode to this most wonderful time of year. For Christmas songs have always had a structure of their own — that being often “extremely loose.” That structure ranges from ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas to Silent Night.

This looser structure is very freeing for me. The rest of this Podcast episode will demonstrate just that.

In this next song we imagine a little bird watching the birth of the Christ Child from the rafters of the manger. “On this day, the Christ is born and how are we to tell the world of this great news?” wonder the wise men. “No internet, no postal service, not even a Pony Express.” One “cheep” from the bird draws their attention to the rafters. And their problem is solved!

Sail and sing your song, Bird
As you wing your way through cities
Through the masses and the chaos of life
Sing it to each soul
Sing it to the shambles of man

Bird Song
Performed by Julia Wade
Music and Lyrics by Peter Link

Silver bird fly
Spiritual bird sing
Bird song
The Christ is born
Spread the word
Let fly
The song of peace
Sweet release
Sail on silver bird
Across the world
Spread the word
A new age dawns
As the silver bird streaks
Across the red sun
Across the rising sun

Sail on silver bird
Across the world
Sail on little bird
And take this message
That the son of God
Has joined us on this earth
And brings us nothing but the good word

It’s the word of God
He brings to all
It’s a kind of peace
That lasts forever
It’s a love that radiates
From one to one another
Never fading away

Sail and sing your song, Bird
As you soar among the mountains
As you wind along the rivers of life
Sing it to each heart
Sing into the mind of mankind

Silver bird fly
From this stable
Humble
Where Christ is born
Spread the word
Go forth
His Kingdom come
A pendulum
Back and forth between
The prophesy
And the unforeseen
The time has come
A new age dawns
And the world will now change
From one of sorrow
To one abounding hope

Sail on silver bird
Across the world
Sail on little bird
And take this message
That the son of God
Has joined us on this earth
And brings us nothing but the good word

Sail and sing your song, Bird
As you wing your way through cities
Through the masses and the chaos of life
Sing it to each soul
Sing it to the shambles of man

Silver bird fly
Unto the people
Tell them
The Christ is born
Silver bird fly
And sing your song
The Christ is born
This Christmas morn
The Christ is born
This Christmas morn
The Christ is born
This Christmas morn
The Christ is born

On this next song, from Julia’s “Julia Wade And Friends” Christmas album, Jenny Burton, guest artist on the album, magically transforms this ode to joy by Yours Truly into a very special musical moment. We envision the rest of the world joining Jenny at the end of the recording all celebrating the spiritual idea of Christmas.

I Live the Joy
Performed by Jenny Burton
Music and Lyrics by Peter Link

I live the joy of Christmas
I feel it every day
I keep the Christ in me
Tucked away

And when the mountain comes my way
I climb with him
I feel the joy
I live it
I reach right down inside
To touch the Christ
I live the joy

I live the joy of Christmas
I feel the hope within
I know the rush of life
Under my skin

I feel the angels in the air
They watch over me
They gather ‘round me
They ground me
They remind me of
Just who I am
I live the joy

Joy joy joy joy
I’m livin’ the joy of Christmas
I’m feelin’ it all here inside of me
I’m feelin’ the joy hmmm

Oh it’s joy
Joy joy joy joy
Oh it’s joy
I’m livin’ the joy of Christmas
Livin’ the joy of Christmas
I’m feelin’ it all here inside of me
All here
I’m feelin’ the joy hmmm
Joy

I live the joy
I live the joy of Christmas
I live the joy

I’ve always loved Christmas. But when I was a kid, Christmas Eve always came with its share of difficulties. What child has not experienced the actual pain of waiting for Christmas to begin on the night before? What child has not been able to go to sleep Christmas Eve, yet wakes up so easily Christmas morning? I did not have to use my imagination writing or singing this song. I lived it!

Christmas Eve
Performed by Peter Link
Music and Lyrics by Peter Link

On this night the world is blue
Snow light and frosting bring a silent
Anticipation of dreams

Oh night thou flows so slowly
When I awake in the morning
Will all be as promised?
Will there be peace on Earth?
And what will there be for me beneath the tree?

On this night before this day
Children are sleeping with their socks on
Waiting for Christmas to begin

The stockings are hung
The sleigh bells jingle
Outside
Then up on the roof
I’ll hear the footsteps
So lightly they prance
While sailing through the sky

Oh what a night is Christmas Eve
Oh what a long long night
And oh how I ache for Christmas morning
Wishing the night goodbye

Listening for the signs of him
Squeezing his belly down our chimney
How does he manage the fire?

Mom told me
“Santa’s quite magic”
He can go back up
Through the chimney
Even after he eats
All the cookies we left for him

On this night the world is blue
Moonlight keeps falling through my window
Making me wonder how reindeers fly

And how will he know of all my wishes
And grant them?
And what if he knows I lie here waiting
And can’t go to sleep?
Will he just pass me on by?

Oh what a night is Christmas Eve
Oh what a long long night
And oh how I ache for Christmas morning
As the child in me is waiting
And waiting
And waiting
And waiting
And waiting
And waiting…

All told, it was definitely Joseph of Mary and Joseph fame that got the short end of the stick in the Christmas story. Who was this guy, Joseph? What part did he play in the drama? He kinda hung around, but that was about it. So I decided to do something about it. In this next song I cast myself as Joseph and retold the story of “The Night Before” from his point of view.
Here’s hopin’ good ol’ Joe will now get a little respect.

It’s All About Love
Performed by Peter Link, Julia Wade, and Jenny Burton
Music by Peter Link
Words by Dora Redman and Peter Link

There was no room for us in the inn
And before he could close the door
I begged and wept,
“There is no other place around
For my wife is with child
And she just needs a place to lie down”
But with a callused heart and without a care
Much to my despair he began to close the door
“Wait now, good sir! We cannot be denied.
For the child comes forth tonight
And if not a room the stable will do
And a candle to light our way
Oh please, good sir, find it in your heart
For we have not a place to stay”

But he could not allow a fire in the stable
And she could never give birth without light

The light? the light!
Do you see the light?
It comes down from the Heavens
The star? The star!
Do you see the star?
The star that lights the way?

The song! The song!
Do you hear the voices of angels
That sing in the night
The hope! The wonder!
Can you not feel the promise?
Of the coming of the Son of God
It’s in the air! It’s everywhere!
It’s in the air! It’s everywhere!
And It’s all about love
It’s all about love

So, he let us go down to the stable
As he turned back inside the Inn
As the night went on
The light it came down all around
And the Shepherd boys prayed
And the wise men brought gifts from afar
And then the angels sang till the heavens rang
And the babe was born in the glory of that night
And the innkeeper stood in his window and watched
As the manger was bathed in light
And on that night with spirit reborn
In his heart he found love at last
With basket of bread and a jug of wine
He then joined us and shared his repast

There was so much peace
In this meek little place
And it beckoned to set his heart free.
So we all sang, the angels, the shepherds, the wise men,
The innkeeper, Mary and me.

The Child! The Child!
Do you see the child?
That came down from the Heavens
The Peace! The Peace!
Do you feel the peace?
That flows on through his eyes
The Song! The Song!
Do you hear the voices of angels?
That sing in the dawn
The hope! The wonder!
Can you not feel the promise?
Of the coming of the Son of God

It’s in the air! It’s everywhere! x2
And It’s all about love,
Can you not feel the promise?
Yes it’s in the air! It’s everywhere! x2
And It’s all
The hope, the wonder
about love,

It’s in the air! It’s everywhere! x2
And It’s all about love,
This my child, the Son Of God!
Hallelujah!

So there you have it.

Scattershot Symphony Episode 20.
Next, Episode 21: Into the Great Unknown
So, in my writing today, I do find the AABAB – [Verse, verse, chorus, verse, chorus] structure often too limiting for the things I choose to write about, though I deeply honor it. Without the basics we have no structure. Without structure or foundation, the building falls down. So Episode 21 will be a continuing exploration of songs that break the mold. Join me … as I get better at it.

Also, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts … etc.

A grateful nod goes to both Julia Wade and Jenny Burton for not only their superb solo talent on song after song, but also providing me with background voices whenever I am in need. Thanks also for all those JBXers who always sang so beautifully on Hallelujah. The recording crew who sang on it was comprised of:
Margaret Dorn
Branice McKenzie
Stephanie James
Andricka Hall
Chrissy Faith
Steve Abrams
Isaac Clemmon
Keith Fluitt
Lawrence Hamilton
John James
Billy Cliff
Thank you, to all!

A very special thanks also to Stuart Barefoot, our Associate Producer for all your invaluable knowledge and good vibes.
And a posthumous thanks to Ludwig Van Beethoven for your opening 4 bars.

Julia
(over playout music)
This podcast is presented with loving care by the staff at Watchfire Music. If you liked what you heard, we got lots more where that came from. In the meantime, you can find the songs you just heard on watchfiremusic.com. There you can purchase the singles or albums and have access to all the lyrics. Also, there you will find all previous podcasts and future scheduling.

If you just became a Scattershot fan,
tell your friends and Stay tuned!

Within days the morale began to diminish. Oh, our prayers had been answered, but…but had we been played a dirty trick? We had nowhere to go. And as those years went by, as we wandered the desert, I watched my people lose faith…In a way, I could not blame them. I, m-m-myself, wondered. As faith diminished, so did civility, decorum, order, law…law? Ha…we had no law.

So I headed up the mountain
To have a talk with God…
Yeah, to have a talk with God before it’s too late
But it was God who did all the talkin’
That day oh yeah
When I was climbin’ up the mountain
And the trumpet called
(And the trumpet called)
And the thunder roared
(And the thunder roared)
And the lightning flashed
And the mountain burned in fire

Tell the story, Moses. You tell your story!

Now I had been called to stand before God
So I climbed Mount Sinai through the fire
As the mountain quaked around me
I stood before the Lord
Yes, I stood before the Lord
Glory be! What a moment!
Glory be! What a moment in my life!
I remember him saying
Moses, my man, now ya’ better take notes
Yeah, ya’ better take notes
Cuz’ I got ten things to tell ya’
Yes I got ten ta’ tell ya’
There are ten things ta’ tell ya’
So ya’ better grab a rock an’ write it all down
Ready?
I’m ready, Lord!
Get set!
I’m ready, Lord!
Here we go!!
I’m ready, Lord! An’ I’m listenin’, I’m listenin’, I’m listenin’!

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Yes the Lord forbade us any other gods
No no no
He demanded our respect in a multitude of ways
Yes He told us not to bow down to none but him
And in a voice that moved like a wave ‘cross the mountains
And swept across the earth a thousand miles wide
He told us how we had to behave
Ah yes I had been called to stand before God
And yet never before so humbled
I was the chosen an’ the messenger then
Cuz I remembered ev’ry single one of the ten!
Well now…that ain’t no big deal now Moses
Cuz he put it all down in stone
Yeah that’s right!
He put it all down in stone
Yeah, ya’ got me there!

And the trumpet called
(And the trumpet called)
And the thunder roared
(And the thunder roared)
And the lightning flashed
And the mountain burned in fire

And as the light show stops, we see Moses standing there with the finished stone tablets.

So now read to the world whatcha got in your hands, Moses
Read us whatcha got in your hands

But they already know this stuff.

You preach, Moses!

Well OK…
He insisted that we all show mercy to our fellow man
That we must always honor our elders
An’ that we honor life
(We honor life)
An’ that we honor love
(We honor love)

An’ that we love one another
He set forth the laws of civilization
That would make the ol’ world work
For all time
For all time
An’ I got to be the messenger!
God made ME the messenger!!
Well now…that ain’t no big deal now Moses
Cuz you weren’t ex’actly doin’ it alone
We got all them ministers an’ preachers out there
Just a spreadin’ the word
Well, that’s right. History makes of me a creator, yeah, a poet, but, in truth, I was just one of the messengers.

And here I am again a lot later
The centuries gone by
And yet again…a messenger
Bringing the truth to you

Now you must honour thy father and thy mother
That thy days may be long
Upon the land which the Lord thy God hath given thee
Yes Honour thy father and thy mother
That thy days may be long

Is that a threat?
No, my child, it is called a Commandment. It is a command. And if I were you, I would pay some serious attention to it.

(The singing starts strong, but fades as they disappear.)
Cuz when your trumpet calls
(When your trumpet calls)
And the thunder roars
(And the thunder roars)
And the lightnings flash
And your mountain burns in fire

Ya’ better be ready…

Cuz when your trumpet calls
(When your trumpet calls)
And the thunder roars
(And the thunder roars)
And the lightnings flash
And your mountains burn in fire
Ya’ better be ready, young man, ya’ better be ready…

Cuz when your trumpet calls
(When your trumpet calls)
And the thunder roars
(And the thunder roars)
And the lightnings flash
And your mountains burn in fire