This song, from the days when I had time to make such recordings, I have not shared before. I always have felt that my recordings are more a like “sketches” or fragments of ideas (what would it be like if…) than any finished songs. I admit that I’m self-conscious of this material, from the engineering, to my voice, and the songwriting itself. But it has sat gathering dust. As an artifact of the story it should be laid out in the light. AMDG
If you listen, thank you for listening. If you read, thank you for reading. If you see, thank you for seeing. Go On, V
Under the curse of the Angel of Death
I have a shepherd I ever follow
Down to the breaking of the pure waters edge
He leadeth me; unknown and known
I fear no evil, stick nor stone
My bell, my window, He surrounds me
Staff and trumpet, rod and stone
Daisies and yarrow grow in the meadow
Hyssop in the margins and cactus I fear
Stones stand like monarchs guarding my ankle
Trees whisper ceaselessly, the Ancient is near
Fare thee well hear my spirit
Fare thee well near my heart
Dust to dust the grass is brittle
Boney legs of shattered stalks
The horns of the oxen surrounding the temple
Elders and children stand patiently near
Their eyes are clear, pure little windows
Deep endless wells shining with tears
Gazing on a white and a flame
Growing tall a name and a name
The Universe sings a singing
Calamity unmade and made
The last will be first sorrow will wither
The fattened ones will starve looking for bread
Quiet songs once lost, now will they listen
Bow, swings the scythe, I am low, I am low
The cross is raised over the valley
The mountain, he shudders away to the sea
The bison returning, blasting to splinters
Five for the cross triumphantly
Fare thee well, Valley of Shadow
I see a fell of silver and gold
Five for the cross, echoes through the skyway
Feet ever lightly touch little ground
The School of the Transfer of Energy 
On Sun, Feb 2, 2020, 6:01 AM The School of the Transfer of Energy wrote:
> jackbaumgartner posted: ” This song, from the days when I had time to make > such recordings, I have not shared before. I always have felt that my > recordings are more a like “sketches” or fragments of ideas (what would it > be like if…) than any finished songs. I admit that I’m ” >
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing this. It speaks to me deeply, of love, humanity, faith. I love everything about it—words, voices, baby. I hope you will share more music.
Thank you, Christina. I am grateful for your words. I will do my best to share more.
Great work as always Jack! Thanks for sharing. I love your description of the songs as “sketches” and have always encouraged my kids to view their original efforts in the same way. Get them recorded while they’re present, so you and others have a literal record of your creation for future inspiration! By the way, if you haven’t listened to any of Graham or Jacks songs on SoundCloud, you might enjoy them. Love to you and Amy and your family!
Thank you, Jason. Yes sometimes it is better just to have a record of the idea than to have a fully developed and polished artifact. Usually the latter is always better because of the former anyway. I found Jack and Graham on Soundcloud after we last talked about them. I’ve enjoyed listening to their music. Be well, Jason.
Good stuff my friend
On Sun, Feb 2, 2020, 6:02 AM The School of the Transfer of Energy wrote:
> jackbaumgartner posted: ” This song, from the days when I had time to make > such recordings, I have not shared before. I always have felt that my > recordings are more a like “sketches” or fragments of ideas (what would it > be like if…) than any finished songs. I admit that I’m ” >
Thank you, Jim.
Brother, I have always loved listening to you play. I am very excited to have the opportunity to get to listen to you again. Hearing you at Bodie’s memorial brought happiness into my heart.
Josh, it is good to hear from you. I am glad the music is a blessing to you. I hope that you are well.