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Glossalalia

by Stuart Wicke

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1.
I. Acts 2:4 01:34
2.
I. Hometown 04:12
Did you see, did you see? Our little town made the news. Nothing new, nothing new, God closed his eye for a second or two. Now I could argue all day The semantics of death and the limits of change: Through the narrowest way Or the wages of sin? Welcome home, welcome home, Now let's get something straight: We're not fighting a war - Every man for himself. O Death, where is your sting? Where is your victory?
3.
I'm certain that I don't need to watch the news, I know everything I choose to know: They tell me that some of us don't try. Maybe some of us deserve to die. It's fine. I don't need to worry, I've got my vaccinations, I don't need to hurry, I've got paid vacation, And I'm fine. I know that, though I've always been the favorite, I've worked harder than my neighbor. I'm watching but I don't need to pay attention Because I've never seen the need for change. It's true. It's a media sensation, just clever narration, Besides faraway places can't change the conversation. It's true. Just hold your questions, I've got the answers: It's just misdirection, none of it matters if you're fine, And I'm fine.
4.
5.
High riser, always looking down. Shit talker, built the world to match your frown. How dare you talk to me that way - Don't you know how you get paid? Now I've got everyone convinced that there's only one way to win. Keep running, always out of time. Well that's nothing as long as I get mine. When it comes to the bottom line, I don't care that we're all gonna die, But the fool with his heart on his sleeve can believe what he wants to believe.
6.
7.
I. Picture 04:14
If you wear blue, I think I'll wear gray. They sure like to talk a lot, but I think that's okay. It's in Pennsylvania and Michigan, Not just the south you'll see rising again. I'm still tired, and I'm still sore, I've got no patience left for patriotic lore, I'm awake, more than before. It's not enough to leave your picture at my door Because I've killed before, and I killed my brother. You're just another nosy neighbor - as you were. So if you wear blue, I guess I'll wear red Because I can't hold my children's hands after I'm dead. I'm still tired, and I'm still sore, I've got no patience left for patriotic lore, I'm awake, more than before. It's not enough to leave your picture at my door anymore.
8.
Morning star bids darkness flee, Still wakefulness incites me: A languid heart which cannot rest. Can I tear myself away: No more consumed by worry, Instead bathed in eternal light?
9.
I know I said I want to be alone, I know I said I wanted to come home, But I don't think that I could live alone, And I don't think that I'll ever come home. I feel like living someone else's life: New love, new fear, new hate, but same old strife. And I won't do what I can't do myself, But I don't think that I can do this all myself. I've got friends all over town. I wonder if I'm where I'm supposed to be, And if I'm sure of what that means to me, But no one has the answer except me. So I'll just do what I always do best: I'll write it down and tell myself to give it a rest. I've got friends all over town.
10.
So good to be home (Listen up,) Taking a toll, (Never mind.) Sure I don't mind. So out of my mind, (Don't change.) And in my heart (Don't go far.) I know we don't rest easy. Still wasting away, (Over time) Never enough, (Bottom line) But I'll be fine. Can't make up my mind: (Oh, go on.) Conquer or die? (Settle down.) I know we don't rest easy. Good people sleep, Still I don't believe, I know we don't.
11.
12.
II. Restless 03:32
I have tried to tame the passage of time, Time and and time again. Brand new life, all things in time, Now am I fine yet? How does everything fall into place? What's it like to dream at night, And is that all there is? How does everything fall into place? Restless is the heart. You always know just what to say, Wish I could be that way.
13.
14.
Good people sleep so soundly, And how divine the comforts, O may my heart in tune be found. Say, O Death, where is thy sting? Say, shall I soon be ready No more to take the parting hand? Can I face a frowning world Of murmuring and mourning? My spirit shall fly out and sing!
15.
16.
Unrest, unease, always questioning the truth. All things in time, can't make up your mind for you. You get yours, and I get mine. Isn't that the bottom line? Careful, careful, don't want to end up on the news. Hesitation to be hopeful or amused. You get yours, and I get mine. Isn't that the bottom line? Tongues of fire, maybe this is how it ends.
17.
18.
III. Problem 04:40
I can't talk about it anymore, it's the same as it's always been. New words to cut each other down, same old war we're fighting on the ground. Begging questions, acting innocent, but talking tough is the extent of it. I work harder than my neighbor does, but counting blessings I don't have enough. Tough luck. Heavily caffeinated, a little bit medicated for someone else's bottom line; That's not much of an affirmation, so what are we so afraid of? There by the grace of God go I. Never falling more than inch by inch, it fell so slow we never noticed it. Looking up and shouting to the sky: "maybe some of us deserve to die." Nice try. Careful what you say. Heavily caffeinated, a little bit medicated for someone else's bottom line; That's not much of an affirmation, so what are we so afraid of? There by the grace of God go I.
19.
20.
How painfully pleasing the fond recollection Of youthful connection and innocent joy! Surrounded with mercy and peace from on high, I'll see you soon. The whisper of winter still hangs in the air With the promise of spring on the tip of its tongue; But only a fool wears his heart on his sleeve. I'll see you soon. It's more than a storm that darkens the sky: A shadow that creeps to the foot of our door. The war won't be quick so say your goodbyes. I'll see you soon. But if this the time that the prophets foretold Of permanent nations where righteousness reigns With virtue and blessings eternally fair, I'll see you soon. Called to contend with the powers of darkness, So many sore conflicts no more to pass through, We part here in body though bound for one glory. I'll see you soon.
21.
Bitter frowning world, tired restless heart, Now let us sleep, no fears to keep, Now let our joyful spirits fly to shout and sing!
22.
IV. Answer 02:26
That's all there is, I guess. That's all we get, so do your best to be content. That's all we need, it's true, If you believe, so it will be, and I believe. No more questions, no more answers, Take your chances. The sun comes out again, and settles down, But life goes on still glory-bound. No more questions, no more answers, Take your chances. Doesn't matter what you're asking, Make it happen. That's all there is, I guess. That's all we get, so do your best to be content.
23.
IV. Solution 02:37
I don't claim to be a prophet, but I know a couple verses, Like the cleansing of the temple and the one about the tree. Maybe we don't have a name for it, but everybody has their churches, Working only for the grace of God, maybe that was all we need. I believe.
24.
IV. Pontifex 02:59
So many nights in someone else's home, Thankful just to not wake up alone. Should I have been afraid of what I didn't know? I don't believe that we are on our own.
25.
Is it already over? Feels like we've just begun. Before we cut it too short now, there's still so much to be done. While we were waiting for answers, deciding who gets a try, Somebody raided the coffers and left us all out dry. Now does everything fall into place, Memories in their picture frames? Should I count my blessings, should I call my bluff? Should I count my blessings or just know there's enough? I guess it's only a feeling, but it always starts that way. I don't need to be careful, I've said what I want to say. Walk awhile with the people passing through, Do you smile when you think about the start of something new? I hope you do. Now does everything fall in to place, Memories in their picture frames? To the fool with his heart on his sleeve, You believe what you want to believe. Should I count my blessings, should I call my bluff? Should I count my blessings, or just know there's enough?
26.
All things in time; what is yours and what is mine But beauteous fields, living green where no parting known? Raise joyous strains ringing from our picture frames! And who should call, court my stay, keep me here at home? As hopes and fears burden us with flowing tears, In bonds of love, cheerful souls will in union join. And who should call, court my stay, keep me here at home?

credits

released December 1, 2020

Glossalalia comes from the Greek roots ‘glossa’ (language) and ‘lalia’ (chatter). In English the word refers to the act of speaking in tongues. In the 21st century, glossalalia is most recognized in Christian Pentecostal churches, where congregants enter ecstatic states and begin to chant syllables in the languages of angels. Academically speaking, these "languages" are nonsense – but to those who believe, the catharsis of praying in an improvised stream-of-consciousness style can't be understated.

This album is all about precipices – personal, financial, political, cultural moments in our lives at which we can change our course. After some research I liked this idea of unknown and unknowable language to characterize the feeling of standing on these precipices. The album “Glossalalia” is me trying to put these hopes and fears to words and allowing those words to fail me.

Written and performed by Stuart Wicke, with the exception of the glossalalic verses on tracks 15, 17, and 19, sung by Natalie Wicke. Recorded and mixed at Wicker House between July 2019 and February 2020. "Glossalalia" was originally released between March and December 2020 as four EPs.

Parts I (tracks 1–7) and IV (21–26) were mastered by Adam Copelin at TNT Productions; Parts II (tracks 8–14) and III (15–20) were mastered by Zack Stefanski.

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Stuart Wicke Louisville, Kentucky

Stuart Wicke is a songwriter from Louisville KY.

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