This is the Sixpence None the Richer song that began my fascination with the band – rather a long time ago now. It is one of those ‘instrumental through my teenage years’ things (the band) and yet it still carries weight today rather than being an embarassment (except perhaps ‘Dancing Queen’ cover which I’ve always detested). The first time I heard this song I did not like it at all and thought it was a bit wishy, but well written words have a power that pull you back in and deeper towards greater meaning even in their simplicity.

My heart is as dark as the soil, sodden with winter rains
My soul is as heavy as the peat, freshly dug from the bog
My thoughts swirl like willow branches caught in autumn winds
My body is as tense as a cat’s as it stalks its prey

Help me open my heart to You
Help me open my heart to You
Help me open my heart to You, oh Jesus
It’s what I long to do

My heart is as dark as the soil, sodden with winter rains
(Lord, brighten my heart)
My soul is as heavy as the peat, freshly dug from the bog
(Lord, lighten my soul)

My thoughts swirl like willow branches caught in autumn winds
(Lord, still my thoughts)
My body is as tense as a cat’s as it stalks its prey
(Lord relax my body)

Help me open my heart to You
(Help me open my heart to You)
Help me open my heart to You
(Help me open my heart to You)
Help me open my heart to You, oh Jesus
It’s what I long to do

Help me open my heart to You
(Help me open my heart to You)
Help me open my heart to You
(Help me open my heart to You)
Help me open my heart to You, sweet Jesus,

(Help me open my heart to You)
I want to open my heart to You
(Help me open my heart to You)
I want to open my heart to You
(Help me open my heart to You)
I want to open my heart to You, oh Jesus
It’s what I long to do

 

Christianity Life Music

I have discovered Noah and the Whale (truly behind the 8 ball here). Such fun.

Music

Two of my favourite things have come together in a delightful cacophony of surprise. Unorchestrated and without warning.

Peng!33 is pretty much my favourite Iron & Wine song and I am re-reading (for bookclub) One Hundred Years of Solitude – Gabriel Garcia Marquez – one of the finest, most delightfully strange books I have ever read.

It appears that Peng!33 borrows it’s lines from One Hundred Years.

“Incredible things are happening in this world, magical things are happening in this world… across the river are all kinds of magical instruments, while we’re still living here like donkeys/monkeys”

I didn’t even have to Google.

It’s as if there really are magical instruments across the river!

Books Music

Sufjan Stevens was quite indescribable. It was absurd and beautiful, moving and joyful. He played for close on 2hrs, much of it was from his most recent The Age of Adz.

Points of interest:

  • Impossible Soul goes for just over 25 minutes and he played the whole thing, and it was gobsmackingly amazing.
  • The Age of Adz trumps the evening for being my favourite, I found it extremely moving, although I never have had that experience listening to it recorded – it was quite strange
  • Vesuvius – awesome retro graphics
  • Sufjan at one stage had two boxing kangaroos on his head and a whole lot of other strange stuff

I can’t say I knew quite what to expect, and I’m jolly well glad I didn’t put a box around it as I’m apt to do. Sufjan is pure genius.

The Set List for Sufjan at the State Theatre Melbourne Jan 31st 2011

  1. Seven Swans
  2. Too Much
  3. Age of Adz
  4. Heirloom
  5. I Walked
  6. All For Myself
  7. Vesuvius
  8. Now That I’m Older
  9. Get Real Get Right
  10. Futile Devices
  11. Impossible Soul
  12. Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, Illinois
  13. John Wayne Gacy, Jr.
  14. Chicago

Culture Music

I don’t think I’ve ever been quite so excited about a gig before and I only just realised it yesterday. On Monday I’m off to see Sufjan Stevens. I quite hope he plays this. It wasn’t on his set lists for Sydney but it is on All Delighted People – which is new, so there is a fair shot.

Music