This song was written during a songwriting workshop through the Rising Song Fellowship 2021-2022. Due to COVID, our cohort was not able to gather in person that winter but instead each took a songwriting retreat and connected over Zoom. We each had 45 minutes to compose something to this line of the Unetaneh Tokef prayer, and this is what emerged from my little cabin in the Driftless region of Wisconsin.
At the time, anxiety was keeping me up at night with worry and my retreat brought some deeply needed spiritual nourishment and peace. This story from Kings touched something in me -- just as G-d was not found in these big flashy shows of power, I saw I was over-identifying with (and worrying over) fleeting material circumstances in my life and that what really mattered was much more subtle and constant.
Thank you to the Rising Song Institute and my amazing cohort for your inspiration and support!!!
lyrics
Intro text: There was a great and mighty wind, splitting mountains and shattering rocks by the power of the Source; but the source of All was not in the wind. After the wind -- an earthquake; but the Source was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake -- fire; but the Great Mystery was not in the fire. And after the fire -- a still, small voice. - adapted by Kohenet Riv from 1 Kings 19
And the great shofar is sounded, and the still small voice is heard.
-Unetaneh Tokef prayer
Not in the wind, not in the earthquake, not in the fire
I seek you where you can't be found; I tremble, I falter.
I cling to broken vessels that hold no water.
Take me to your wellspring; dissolve my fear, remind me what I am.
He replied, “I am moved by zeal for the LORD, the God of Hosts, for the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and put Your prophets to the sword. I alone am left, and they are out to take my life.”
“Come out,” He called, “and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And lo, the LORD passed by. There was a great and mighty wind, splitting mountains and shattering rocks by the power of the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind—an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake.
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