“Keening for the Dawn”

Now that we’re well into the season of Advent, we thought it was time to share this video of Steve Bell’s song, “Keening for the Dawn.” Drawn from the 2012 album of that same name, the lyrics for this song were co-written with Malcom Guite. You can read more about how this whole project came to be by clicking here, where you’ll also find an earlier version of the song.

Along with Steve, this version features the following musicians:

Sarah Giardino - vocals
Mike Janzen - piano
Murray Pulver - guitar
Gilles Forniere - bass
Daniel Roi - Drums

Keening for the Dawn

On and on the night goes on
Brooding dark before the dawn
We are waiting
Worried lips rehearse our creeds
Bellies swollen with your seed
We are waiting
Hardened shards of broken bread
Small consolations in your stead
Soured wine a tonic for the pain
Dutifully we take our fill
Still we long to see your face again
Keening for the dawn as such
Stirs the memory of your touch
We are waiting
We are waiting

Hungry work, these endless feasts
Shrivelling as we all increase
We are waiting
Weary eyes take in the sights
Smarting under tinselled lights
We are waiting
Break the too familiar word
Hearing strains we’ve never heard
A double edge that pierces through the pain
All that we shall see fulfilled
The dawning day we see your face again
Keening for the dawn as such
Stirs the memory of your touch
We are waiting
We are waiting

Music by Steve Bell,  lyrics by Steve Bell and Malcolm Guite