Paul Simon — Seven Psalms
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Length: 32:55
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["The Lord"]
I've been thinking about the great migration
Noon and night they leave the flock
And I imagine their destination
Meadow grass, jagged rock
The Lord is my engineer
The Lord is the earth I ride on
The Lord is the face in the atmosphere
The path I slip and I slide on
A crystal comet
Starlit night
Silver moon
To smooth the edge of daylight
Now turned the evening rose
Tribal voices
Old and young
Celebrations
A history of families sung
The endless river flows
The Lord is my engineer
The Lord is the earth I ride on
The Lord is the face in the atmosphere
The path I slip and I slide on
The Lord is a virgin forest
The Lord is a forest ranger
The Lord is a meal for the poorest of the poor
A welcome door to the stranger
Tears and flowers
Dry over time
Memory leaves us
Melody and rhyme
When the cold wind blows
The seeds we gather
From the gardener's glove
Live forever
Nothing dies of too much love
The Lord
The Lord is the earth I ride on
The Lord is the face in the atmosphere
The path I slip and slide on
And the Lord is a virgin forest
The Lord is a forest ranger
The Lord is a meal for the poorest
A welcome door to the stranger
The Covid virus is the Lord
The Lord is the ocean rising
The Lord is a terrible swift sword
A simple truth surviving
["Love Is Like a Braid"]
Love is like a braid, some say
And I, I don't disbelieve it
Cowry shells, fine combs made of jade
To ornament and weave it
I lived a life of pleasant sorrows
Until the real deal came
Broke me like a twig in a winter gale
Call me by my name
And in that time of prayer and waiting
Where doubt and reason dwell
A jury sat deliberating
All is lost or all is well
Home, home
Sun on my doorstep
Shocks me to find
I'm a child again entwined
In your love, in your light
In your cool summer shade
The garden keeps a rose and a thorn
And once the choice is made
All that's left is
Mending what was torn
Love is like a braid
Love is like a braid
["My Professional Opinion"]
Good morning, Mr. Indignation
Looks like you haven't slept all night
In my professional opinion
Go back to bed and turn off your light
I'm not a doctor or a preacher
I've no particular guiding star
In my professional opinion
I'm no more satisfied than you are
So, what in the world we whispering for?
Everyone's naked, there's nothing to hide
Gonna carry my grievances down to the shore
Wash them away in the tumbling tide
I heard two cows in a conversation
One called the other one a name
In my professional opinion
All cows in the country must bear the blame
So all rise to the occasion
Or all sink into despair
In my professional opinion
We're better off not going there
What in the world we whispering for?
Everyone's naked, there's nothing to hide
Gonna carry my grievances down to the shore
Wash 'em away in the tumbling tide
Wash 'em away in the tumbling tide
Wash 'em away in the tide
All that really matters
Is the one who became us
Anointed and gained us
With His opinions
["The Lord Reprise"]
The Lord is my engineer
The Lord is the earth I ride on
The Lord is a face in the atmosphere
The path I'll slip and I'll slide on
The Lord is a virgin forest
The Lord is a forest ranger
The Lord is a meal for the poorest of the poor
A welcome door to the stranger
The Covid virus is The Lord
The Lord is the ocean rising
The Lord is a terrible swift sword
A simple truth, surviving
Tu lu, lulu lu...
["Your Forgiveness"]
Yesterday's boy is gone
Driving through darkness
Searching for your forgiveness
Is sorrow a beautiful song?
Lives in the heart and sings for all
Your Forgiveness
Inside the digital mind
A homeless soul ponders the code
Of forgiveness
And I the last in the line
Hoping the gates won't be closed before
Your forgiveness
Dip your hand in Heaven's waters
God's imagination
Dip your hand in Heaven's waters
All of life's abundance in a drop of condensation
Dip your hand in Heaven's waters
Ooh, ooh
I, I have my reasons to doubt
There is a case to be made
Two billion heartbeats and out
Waving a flag in the last parade
I have my reasons to doubt
Dip your hand in Heaven's waters
God's imagination
Dip your hand in Heaven's waters
All of life's abundance in a drop of condensation
Dip your hand in Heaven's waters
I have my reasons to doubt
The white light eases the pain
Two billion heartbeats and out
Or does it all begin again?
Dip your hand in Heaven's waters
God's imagination
All of life's abundance in a drop of condensation
["Trail of Volcanoes"]
When I was young
I carried my guitar
Down to the crossroads
And over the seas
Now those old roads
Are a trail of volcanoes
Exploding with refugees
It seems to me
We're all walking down
The same road
To wherever it ends
The pity is
The damage that's done
Leaves so little time
For amends
["The Sacred Harp"]
A change of mood
A summer storm erased the sunny sky
Two hapless hitchhikers were
Signaling us
As we were cruising by
Not in the mood
For idle chat or hitchhike company
Nevertheless
We took them on as highway courtesy
Hurry get yourselves inside the truck
We're just going up a ways
The rain should turn to mist
With any luck
And you can find a place to stay
The woman spoke
Her voice a blend
Of regional perfumes
We have no destination
The moon and stars
Provide us with our rooms
My boy and me
We're refugees of sorts
From my home town
They don't like different there
They would have mowed us down
He doesn't talk much anymore
Just to the voices in his head
The boy just gazed down at the floor
And nodded once or twice at what
She said
The sacred harp
That David played to make his
Songs of praise
We long to hear those strings
That set his heart ablaze
The ringing strings
The thought that God turns music
Into bliss...
We left the pick-up in the driveway
The moon appeared as amber
In the mist
["The Lord Reprise"]
The Lord is a puff of smoke
That disappears when the winds blow
The Lord is my personal joke
My reflection in the window
I've been thinking about our troubled nature
Our benediction and our curse
Are we all just trial and error
One of a billion in the universe?
Tu lu, lulu lu...
The Lord is my engineer
The Lord is my record producer
The Lord is the music I hear
Deep in the valley of elusive
The Lord is my engineer
The Lord is the train I ride on
The Lord is the coast, the coast is clear
The path I slip and slide on
Tu lu, lulu lu...
["Wait"]
Wait
I'm not ready
I'm just packing my gear
Wait
My hand's steady
My mind is still clear
I hear the ghost songs I own
Jumpin', jivin', and moanin'
Through a heartbroken microphone
Wait
Life is a meteor
Let your eyes roam
Heaven is beautiful
It's almost like home
Children! Get ready
It's time to come home
I want to
Believe in
A dreamless transition
Wait
I don't want
To be near
My dark intuition
I need you here by my side
My beautiful mystery guide
Wait
Life is a meteor
Let your eyes roam
Heaven is beautiful
It's almost like home
Children! Get ready
It's time to come home
Amen
I've been thinking about the great migration
Noon and night they leave the flock
And I imagine their destination
Meadow grass, jagged rock
The Lord is my engineer
The Lord is the earth I ride on
The Lord is the face in the atmosphere
The path I slip and I slide on
A crystal comet
Starlit night
Silver moon
To smooth the edge of daylight
Now turned the evening rose
Tribal voices
Old and young
Celebrations
A history of families sung
The endless river flows
The Lord is my engineer
The Lord is the earth I ride on
The Lord is the face in the atmosphere
The path I slip and I slide on
The Lord is a virgin forest
The Lord is a forest ranger
The Lord is a meal for the poorest of the poor
A welcome door to the stranger
Tears and flowers
Dry over time
Memory leaves us
Melody and rhyme
When the cold wind blows
The seeds we gather
From the gardener's glove
Live forever
Nothing dies of too much love
The Lord
The Lord is the earth I ride on
The Lord is the face in the atmosphere
The path I slip and slide on
And the Lord is a virgin forest
The Lord is a forest ranger
The Lord is a meal for the poorest
A welcome door to the stranger
The Covid virus is the Lord
The Lord is the ocean rising
The Lord is a terrible swift sword
A simple truth surviving
["Love Is Like a Braid"]
Love is like a braid, some say
And I, I don't disbelieve it
Cowry shells, fine combs made of jade
To ornament and weave it
I lived a life of pleasant sorrows
Until the real deal came
Broke me like a twig in a winter gale
Call me by my name
And in that time of prayer and waiting
Where doubt and reason dwell
A jury sat deliberating
All is lost or all is well
Home, home
Sun on my doorstep
Shocks me to find
I'm a child again entwined
In your love, in your light
In your cool summer shade
The garden keeps a rose and a thorn
And once the choice is made
All that's left is
Mending what was torn
Love is like a braid
Love is like a braid
["My Professional Opinion"]
Good morning, Mr. Indignation
Looks like you haven't slept all night
In my professional opinion
Go back to bed and turn off your light
I'm not a doctor or a preacher
I've no particular guiding star
In my professional opinion
I'm no more satisfied than you are
So, what in the world we whispering for?
Everyone's naked, there's nothing to hide
Gonna carry my grievances down to the shore
Wash them away in the tumbling tide
I heard two cows in a conversation
One called the other one a name
In my professional opinion
All cows in the country must bear the blame
So all rise to the occasion
Or all sink into despair
In my professional opinion
We're better off not going there
What in the world we whispering for?
Everyone's naked, there's nothing to hide
Gonna carry my grievances down to the shore
Wash 'em away in the tumbling tide
Wash 'em away in the tumbling tide
Wash 'em away in the tide
All that really matters
Is the one who became us
Anointed and gained us
With His opinions
["The Lord Reprise"]
The Lord is my engineer
The Lord is the earth I ride on
The Lord is a face in the atmosphere
The path I'll slip and I'll slide on
The Lord is a virgin forest
The Lord is a forest ranger
The Lord is a meal for the poorest of the poor
A welcome door to the stranger
The Covid virus is The Lord
The Lord is the ocean rising
The Lord is a terrible swift sword
A simple truth, surviving
Tu lu, lulu lu...
["Your Forgiveness"]
Yesterday's boy is gone
Driving through darkness
Searching for your forgiveness
Is sorrow a beautiful song?
Lives in the heart and sings for all
Your Forgiveness
Inside the digital mind
A homeless soul ponders the code
Of forgiveness
And I the last in the line
Hoping the gates won't be closed before
Your forgiveness
Dip your hand in Heaven's waters
God's imagination
Dip your hand in Heaven's waters
All of life's abundance in a drop of condensation
Dip your hand in Heaven's waters
Ooh, ooh
I, I have my reasons to doubt
There is a case to be made
Two billion heartbeats and out
Waving a flag in the last parade
I have my reasons to doubt
Dip your hand in Heaven's waters
God's imagination
Dip your hand in Heaven's waters
All of life's abundance in a drop of condensation
Dip your hand in Heaven's waters
I have my reasons to doubt
The white light eases the pain
Two billion heartbeats and out
Or does it all begin again?
Dip your hand in Heaven's waters
God's imagination
All of life's abundance in a drop of condensation
["Trail of Volcanoes"]
When I was young
I carried my guitar
Down to the crossroads
And over the seas
Now those old roads
Are a trail of volcanoes
Exploding with refugees
It seems to me
We're all walking down
The same road
To wherever it ends
The pity is
The damage that's done
Leaves so little time
For amends
["The Sacred Harp"]
A change of mood
A summer storm erased the sunny sky
Two hapless hitchhikers were
Signaling us
As we were cruising by
Not in the mood
For idle chat or hitchhike company
Nevertheless
We took them on as highway courtesy
Hurry get yourselves inside the truck
We're just going up a ways
The rain should turn to mist
With any luck
And you can find a place to stay
The woman spoke
Her voice a blend
Of regional perfumes
We have no destination
The moon and stars
Provide us with our rooms
My boy and me
We're refugees of sorts
From my home town
They don't like different there
They would have mowed us down
He doesn't talk much anymore
Just to the voices in his head
The boy just gazed down at the floor
And nodded once or twice at what
She said
The sacred harp
That David played to make his
Songs of praise
We long to hear those strings
That set his heart ablaze
The ringing strings
The thought that God turns music
Into bliss...
We left the pick-up in the driveway
The moon appeared as amber
In the mist
["The Lord Reprise"]
The Lord is a puff of smoke
That disappears when the winds blow
The Lord is my personal joke
My reflection in the window
I've been thinking about our troubled nature
Our benediction and our curse
Are we all just trial and error
One of a billion in the universe?
Tu lu, lulu lu...
The Lord is my engineer
The Lord is my record producer
The Lord is the music I hear
Deep in the valley of elusive
The Lord is my engineer
The Lord is the train I ride on
The Lord is the coast, the coast is clear
The path I slip and slide on
Tu lu, lulu lu...
["Wait"]
Wait
I'm not ready
I'm just packing my gear
Wait
My hand's steady
My mind is still clear
I hear the ghost songs I own
Jumpin', jivin', and moanin'
Through a heartbroken microphone
Wait
Life is a meteor
Let your eyes roam
Heaven is beautiful
It's almost like home
Children! Get ready
It's time to come home
I want to
Believe in
A dreamless transition
Wait
I don't want
To be near
My dark intuition
I need you here by my side
My beautiful mystery guide
Wait
Life is a meteor
Let your eyes roam
Heaven is beautiful
It's almost like home
Children! Get ready
It's time to come home
Amen
Comments (46)add comment
Nope. Sorry, Mr. Simon. Your vast portfolio did not need this addition. It's disappointing from a living legend, introspective or otherwise. /M.
Is this the longest song ever played on RP?
Quite a lengthy piece of advice (..? or TÜRÜLÜ ) to stomach, it is how an individual human existence can come about, I guess. The human term which is so often neglected these days is us. We can't escape.
Hesitant to utilize the skip-function yet, missing depth for such a long story.
Done with my own patience now, I finally hit >>skip<<.
Hesitant to utilize the skip-function yet, missing depth for such a long story.
Done with my own patience now, I finally hit >>skip<<.
Reflections on life from an elder, with a nod to his Jewish heritage.
Pauls got In the Goda Da Avida Beat by 15 minutes.
Generally spoken I like his music, his voice....but this is the most monotonous crap he has ever put on paper. Please RP don't waste precious airtime on this......
This is beautiful and profound.
dmymd wrote:
I agree with your opinion!
I have been listening to this while painting in my gallery. It was background music but as this ling piece went in I was mesmerized by it. Si different for Paul. So different from most anyone else. This wiuld merit a second cup in a coffeehouse. I love this thiugh I see I am bot in the majority.
I agree with your opinion!
I have been listening to this while painting in my gallery. It was background music but as this ling piece went in I was mesmerized by it. Si different for Paul. So different from most anyone else. This wiuld merit a second cup in a coffeehouse. I love this thiugh I see I am bot in the majority.
I’m always a bit shocked when others don’t love the same music as I! Kidding, course, we all have different tastes and that is certainly OK. For me, though, this is a stunningly beautiful song/album.
Paul Simon made an unusual song here, and after several listenings, I like it a lot.
This recent album reminds me of Neil Young’s 2003 “Greendale” rock opera because it also took some listening to capture the flow.
This recent album reminds me of Neil Young’s 2003 “Greendale” rock opera because it also took some listening to capture the flow.
obispo wrote:
I tend to agree. But, I don’t think PS or WG care.
Both have earned their due respect. I’m a fan of PS, and approaching mid 60s, so I kind of relate to his musings.
As a musician, I don’t quite know how he’d ever be able to play this again even close to the same way… the chords travel all over the place! But he’s the musical genius, of course, not me.
29 minutes too long.
You could break out the individual tracks, but it wouldn't really help. None seems good enough to stand on its own.
"3" for me.
I tend to agree. But, I don’t think PS or WG care.
Both have earned their due respect. I’m a fan of PS, and approaching mid 60s, so I kind of relate to his musings.
As a musician, I don’t quite know how he’d ever be able to play this again even close to the same way… the chords travel all over the place! But he’s the musical genius, of course, not me.
Oof! I know the man is a legend, and maybe that's why no one had the courage to say, "A 9 part song about your mortality? No. Just no." I like Dylan's voice. I like Tom Waits' voice. But this is kind of sad. And I'm getting up there in age myself, so I get what he's trying to do. I don't like to yuck anyone's yum, so I'd normally just skip this half hour song and move on, but I'm listening via Alexa, so that's not an option. Not for me. Life is too short.
Geez, how long does this go on?
I love PS. But I’m glad this isn’t played too often…. js. Don’t judge. It’s long and rather pedantic. Still…. It’s Paul Simon at the end of his years, y’know? So, RESPECT!
I’m so used to tapping my foot to his music, tho, y’know? None of that here.
Still, it’s Paul Simon and I’m ever a fan. Like others, I count myself fortunate to be able to call him a contemporary and that I saw him doing his last tour.
What a treasure he and his music is!
I’m so used to tapping my foot to his music, tho, y’know? None of that here.
Still, it’s Paul Simon and I’m ever a fan. Like others, I count myself fortunate to be able to call him a contemporary and that I saw him doing his last tour.
What a treasure he and his music is!
Well, it's been 10 minutes since the track (or rather the full album) started. And I don't know yet if I want to listen to it in full, or to skip.
So I start writing this comment while listening, sitting on the sofa.
I thank RP for sometimes playing several tracks from the same album, especially when it makes sense, like with Pink Floyd or Jethro Tull, but 33 minutes?! I'm going to endure listening, involuntarily, to the same style of music that I'm not sure I've enjoyed for so long. On the other hand if they put the whole album at once it must not be a coincidence, and they want us to listen because it must represent something important for them, that they want share with the RP community.
So I let myself be carried away by the soft music, by the touching voice of Paul Simon, and I enjoyed this moment, although English is not my native language, I did not understand the full meaning of words, I will have to come back to them.
I'm finishing this comment, there are 3 minutes left before the end, and I feel relaxed like after a meditation or hypnosis session, a little confused, stunned, lost.
Thanks again RP for the discovery, new music, new emotion.
So I start writing this comment while listening, sitting on the sofa.
I thank RP for sometimes playing several tracks from the same album, especially when it makes sense, like with Pink Floyd or Jethro Tull, but 33 minutes?! I'm going to endure listening, involuntarily, to the same style of music that I'm not sure I've enjoyed for so long. On the other hand if they put the whole album at once it must not be a coincidence, and they want us to listen because it must represent something important for them, that they want share with the RP community.
So I let myself be carried away by the soft music, by the touching voice of Paul Simon, and I enjoyed this moment, although English is not my native language, I did not understand the full meaning of words, I will have to come back to them.
I'm finishing this comment, there are 3 minutes left before the end, and I feel relaxed like after a meditation or hypnosis session, a little confused, stunned, lost.
Thanks again RP for the discovery, new music, new emotion.
Love it!
According to Pitchfork, the woman's voice accompanying Paul is Edie Brickell (of the Bohemians). So she does go for philosophy after all!
Listen to this knowing it was produced by an 82 year old. It is masterful. This flows like a bard's song in a tavern; he really is relinquishing ancient wisdom onto the listener. Particularly with the way he frames people's view of God often being "whatever disaster is here". In the modern mind, this is COVID, climate change, etc. But to the ancient mind, their god was often the deliverer of destruction. Excellent commentary by Simon. 
I’m not a big Paul Simon fan, but I did like this song. Better if I was listening to it under a shade tree in a hammock half asleep with the crashing sounds of waves on the beach.
Well, this has some nice moments, but will take some getting used to.
So much better than Bob Dylan's recent stream-of-consciousness material (Rough and Rowdy Ways).
So much better than Bob Dylan's recent stream-of-consciousness material (Rough and Rowdy Ways).
Thanks RP!
A beautiful and a bittersweet journey of songs.
Overall, the words read very much like a late life observation on the human condition, unsurprisingly quite pessimistic. The Lord is in charge and offers comfort, if one believes.
Musically, a pleasant, rambling accompaniment.
I've been privileged to see Paul Simon several times in concert and would go a very long way to repeat that experience. That now seems very unlikely. I respect his need and ability to make these 'psalms', but I don't need to hear them again.
Certainly seems to be a divisive one, unsurprisingly. Kudos to RP for playing it in its entirety.
Need to give this more focus next time it comes up for me. The Sacred Harp stood out to me on this initial listen, particularly with Edie's nice vocals on it.
Need to give this more focus next time it comes up for me. The Sacred Harp stood out to me on this initial listen, particularly with Edie's nice vocals on it.
I recommend all interested RP'ers to do their favorite inter-web search on this. I came up with this:
What is the meaning of the song Seven Psalms by Paul Simon? Seven
Psalms is Paul Simon's 15th solo album and in it, he confronts his
mortality head-on and wonders about God, the reasons for existence, and
death. In the trailer from Paul Simon's latest release, Seven Psalms,
the singer-songwriter explains his latest work is an “argument about belief or not”.
To me, I sense a lot of a parallel to Mr. Bowie's swan album, Dark Star.
Our time is limited, what does that mean to myself? What is my meaning in this life? We can all dig out 100's of examples of artists all questioning the why we are here and what are we going to do about it with what we have left. No matter what you think or believe, in the end we are all dust.
A lovely song.
Peace to all.
What is the meaning of the song Seven Psalms by Paul Simon? Seven
Psalms is Paul Simon's 15th solo album and in it, he confronts his
mortality head-on and wonders about God, the reasons for existence, and
death. In the trailer from Paul Simon's latest release, Seven Psalms,
the singer-songwriter explains his latest work is an “argument about belief or not”.
To me, I sense a lot of a parallel to Mr. Bowie's swan album, Dark Star.
Our time is limited, what does that mean to myself? What is my meaning in this life? We can all dig out 100's of examples of artists all questioning the why we are here and what are we going to do about it with what we have left. No matter what you think or believe, in the end we are all dust.
A lovely song.
Peace to all.
Best to sit back, with some time, to consider his implications.
He has plenty of 'street cred' with me but the ambiance of that recording studio is stale or sterile. I get they are probably going to be sad songs in a sad time but a little too much gloom is coming threw for me. It just doesn't sound good. sorry, I'll pass
First song in a long time that I needed to skip.
I find it interesting that there are already 5 comments and the song isn't done yet...of course it is 32+ minutes long. I'll have to give it another listen before passing judgment (not in the religious sense).
First time I've heard this. Not for everyone, especially at over half an hour. Another new direction for Simon? It's long, but worth a listen, especially if you've followed his music for the last sixty some odd years. I suspect a lot of listeners will be reaching for the PSD button though...
Wow. That sucked. And it just wouldn't stop...
Paul Simon can do no wrong. The term "national treasure" is thrown around, but it applies here.
Two things. First, his voice is changing with age in a similar way to Paul McCartney's. Second, hope he's not doing what Bowie did with Lazarus.
Paul Simon could sing about watching paint dry for a day and it would still be awesome! Loved him since I was a kid, love him now, just love him. He is so cool.
xrdstv wrote:
I think he’s sharing with us his views of this world, as the title states. Sometimes we just have to put ourselves out there, not for approval or a number 1 hit. Very vulnerable and his truth. Being an artist myself, I understand the calling.
Not sure what he's going for here...
I think he’s sharing with us his views of this world, as the title states. Sometimes we just have to put ourselves out there, not for approval or a number 1 hit. Very vulnerable and his truth. Being an artist myself, I understand the calling.
It’s obvious what Paul’s after here. It’s obvious that William needed a long bathroom break! That being said… You go, Paul!
First I've heard of this. Hm, yeah, different but he has stories to tell. His fingerstyle is a treat to hear as well.
Heard this originally on that streaming app a while ago and I enjoyed it. Nice concept and good to hear from Simon.
29 minutes too long.
You could break out the individual tracks, but it wouldn't really help. None seems good enough to stand on its own.
"3" for me.
You could break out the individual tracks, but it wouldn't really help. None seems good enough to stand on its own.
"3" for me.
I will need to give this more time, but I'm intrigued.
I am SO happy this American genius is still writing.
I am SO happy this American genius is still writing.
I Thank God (well BillG) for the skip feature...
Nice, I like it 
pfreet wrote:
for an 80+yr old, not very strained.
Good song, but this sounds like a demo version. The vocals are really strained.
for an 80+yr old, not very strained.
Not sure what he's going for here...
Good song, but this sounds like a demo version. The vocals are really strained.
When I heard It first,
in traffic, I thought, “
Is that Plant?”
Then I searched to learn whether or not Mr. Simon had a religious conversion….
The third thought, was “How long is this??”
But I have never yet hit the “play something different” button (not on purpose, anyway)
But do I ever I wish you had a
“play it again” button!
I would definitely hit it to play this song again.
I’ve got time…
I hope.