Song Cover Image

The World Beneath Your Open Hand — Psalm 104

Bubba Patrick
Bubba Patrick
Cinematic Hollerphonic pastoral suite, not pop formula, Acoustic, bowed then plucked upright bass in dotted quarters, wooden flute, kalimba, fiddle, piano, Bubba daylight sections; Darlene night and renewal; duet refrain, Four-bar kalimba intro; instruments enter in pairs, flute-fiddle dialogue, night drops to bass, swelling renewal then quiet G6, Key G; dotted-quarter=84 BPM; 6/8, Creation G6–Bbmaj7–Cadd9–Cm6–G/D–E7–A7–D7–G6; night Em9–Cmaj7–Am7–B7; renewal Gadd9–D/F#–Em7–Cadd9–Cm6–G/D–D7–G6, Signature: Holler Lantern Turn; provisional Holler Wingbeat Return in renewal, Hook: Kalimba G–D–E–B, flute answers A–G–E–D, Bubba: unmistakably masculine warm country baritone, Darlene: unmistakably feminine clear gospel alto; follow labeled leads, Natural separated voices, intelligible lyrics, live Holler Shakers feel; no impersonation, Preserve the written dynamics and natural ending
V6

[Kalimba opening, wooden flute answers] [Movement 1: Bubba] Light is the robe about Your shoulders, Heaven a curtain spread so wide. Clouds Your chariot, wind Your pathway, Flame and spirit serve Your might. Earth stands on the base You founded; Deep once covered mountain stone. At Your thunder waters hurried To the bounds that You made known. [Refrain: duet] The world beneath Your open hand, The sea, the sky, the breathing land; How wise, how wide the works You do, All living things look up to You. [Movement 2: Bubba] Springs run singing through the valleys, Wild beasts drink and branches ring. Rain feeds grass and herbs for labor, Bread and wine and oil You bring. Cedars hold the nests of storks now, High rocks shelter creatures small. Moon marks seasons, sun its setting; Day and darkness hear Your call. [Movement 3: Darlene, low bass and flute] Lions call to You for supper, Then return at morning’s gleam. People rise to daily labor; Ships cross waters vast and deep. Leviathan plays where You made him, Countless creatures share the sea. All await the food You give them; Open hands supply their need. [Flute and fiddle dialogue: eight bars] [Movement 4: Darlene, gradually fuller] Hide Your face and they are troubled; Take their breath, to dust they fall. Send Your Spirit, life is kindled, You renew the earth for all. May Your glory last forever, May You joy in what You’ve made; Earth will tremble at Your looking, Smoking hills Your touch display. [Final refrain: duet] The world beneath Your open hand, The sea, the sky, the breathing land; How wise, how wide the works You do, All living things look up to You. [Coda: Bubba, Darlene harmony] While I live I’ll sing Your goodness, May my thoughts bring You delight. Let the wicked cease from earth, Lord; Soul, bless God with all your might.