Blackbird Orchestra: Lazarus

I find that writing words (stories) for music depends greatly on the how the music is structured. Some singer-songwriters craft words first and treat the music as a secondary accompaniment. For me, it's first the music layers followed by an identification of vocal range.
(ie singing tones to the rhythm and seeing how they place)
The stories then are fit together into that package which usually means limiting the range of story telling to fit time signatures.

With that said, Let's move on to our first “Hints and Myths Expos'e”



LAZARUS

The first song I'd like to post about is one we haven't recorded in the studio yet. Written in October 2009, Lazarus first appeared at the Columbia City Theater show in order to give the set a little more of an edge.

Some Background:
Lazarus is a name found in two separate contexts in the New Testament.
[1] in which Jesus restores Lazarus to life four days after Lazarus's death and
[2] in which Lazarus appears as a character in Jesus' parable of Lazarus and Dives, or Lazarus and the Rich Man.

In Science, there is the phenomenon known as the Lazarus syndrome. Lazarus syndrome is the spontaneous return of circulation after failed attempts at resuscitation.

Personal:
Write what you know about... I hear this over and over again

As some may notice, I like to write in themes. I find that certain subjects repeat yet retain different textures. I love an idea that can suggest different meanings. It keeps the words fresh and allows for further discovery later on.

I was fond of the idea that though Lazarus was restored life (or blessed for his suffering), the imperfections of his nature still remained. Perhaps Lazarus was so lost in his suffering and didn't see any options or was unaware that he could control his destiny.
The character himself is little known but I liked the idea of personalizing Lazarus. Someone in today's world might fall into this category by suffering a mental illness (such as addiction or depression). I know full well the costs of addiction and how the mind can create layers of self-destructive processes.
.
Lazarus was responsible for his new lease on life, not Jesus (or god or gods...etc). The process of change is never quick, is often very isolated and requires looking at some hard truths and identifying behavior. In this case, the awakening is just as important as the process of change.

I also found after I wrote the first draft that there was an element of desire hinting it's way into the overall meaning. Those things we want but are either too afraid to ask for or are too scared to receive.

Regardless of true meaning or depth of style, the words for me are suggestive and allow for personalizing. For now – that's good enough. :)

Lyrics:

Lazarus

was it a promise, oh was it a dream?
what brought you to your knees
was it the rapture that turned to pain
and left you half alive, begging

oh Lazarus
are you waiting for that breathe of life?

was it a serpent or was it man
that took the cure from your hands
or was it fate that turned you away
when pleasure lost, the body aches

oh Lazarus
are you waiting for that breathe of life?
oh Lazarus
when will you rise to see the light?

see the light
oh see the light