Remember Us Among the Ruins

Communal Appalachian gospel lament, 62 BPM, 6/8, A minor, Bubba unmistakably MALE low weary storyteller; Darlene unmistakably FEMALE sorrowful gospel alto, substantial solo verse two, Fingerpicked guitar, bowed upright bass, low fiddle, wooden flute, sparse piano and restrained Hammond B3; no upbeat percussion, New Am-F-Dm-E7 movement, Begin with isolated guitar notes and long rests; quiet choir enters as the community pleads together, Wooden-flute solo over unresolved organ, Keep the sanctuary's destruction and covenant appeal central; no forced happy ending or triumphant key change

[Intro - Isolated guitar notes; bowed bass] [Verse 1 - Bubba, male solo] Why does anger rise like smoke now Over sheep that You have kept? Think upon Your purchased people, Zion where Your presence dwelt. Axes broke the carved wood open, Fire has blackened all our walls; Where our gathering heard Your praises, Now the enemy's banner stands. [Chorus - Duet and quiet choir] Remember us among the ruins, Hear the poor ones call Your name; Do not give Your dove to violence, Do not leave us here in shame. God of old, our King and Savior, Hold Your covenant in view; In the dark where cruelty gathers, We are crying out to You. [Verse 2 - Darlene, female solo] We have lost our signs and prophets, None can tell us just how long; Will their mocking last forever? Will You leave Your hand withdrawn? You once split the sea in power, Broke the monsters of the deep; You made springs and dried the rivers, Day and night are Yours to keep. [Instrumental Break - Wooden flute; low fiddle] [Bridge - Duet] You set summer, You set winter, You established earth's frontier; Rise and plead Your cause before them, Hear the tumult, God, draw near. Let the crushed come back with praising, Let the needy find their voice; Do not let the cruel forget You, Do not leave us without hope. [Final Chorus - Duet and quiet choir] Remember us among the ruins, Hear the poor ones call Your name; Do not give Your dove to violence, Do not leave us here in shame. God of old, our King and Savior, Hold Your covenant in view; In the dark where cruelty gathers, We are crying out to You. [Outro - Darlene, female solo] How long, Lord? [Both] Remember us.

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