Lyrics of „Born in Chains“, as far as I can make them out

[Hartmut]

And the bitter liquor sweeten in the …? cup

Maybe "haba cup"? If that makes any sense ...

Apparently, "haba" is a Hebrew word that is used in phrases like "Olam Haba" ("the world to come") and "baruch haba" ("welcome").

[sue7]

And the bitter liquor sweeten in the …? cup

Maybe "haba cup"? If that makes any sense ...

Apparently, "haba" is a Hebrew word that is used in phrases like "Olam Haba" ("the world to come") and "baruch haba" ("welcome").

Hartmut, that's a really interesting suggestion. I listened again with this in mind: I don't think this is the word, because if it were Hebrew, I would expect him to pronounce the first syllable as "hah" (as in hard), but he says it with a short "a" as in hat.

Hopefully they'll play it again tonight?

[sturgess66]

A curiously interesting possibility Hartmut. "haba" would have the meaning of "to come."

In the medical community haba it is benzoic acid.

Oops - and I see below that Sue has posted more thoughts below (above) while I have let this page hang - so I will go back to listen again.

[mwaldman]

And the bitter liquor sweeten in the …? cup

Maybe "haba cup"? If that makes any sense ...

Having listened to both the Sligo and Salzburg clips over and and over, it certainly sounds like "haba cup". Does it make sense - if you think of "haba" as a descriptive trade name and write it as "HABA cup" or "Haba cup", it does make sense. HABA is a German manufacturer of children's toys and other children's products, and they do manufacture children's cups. A picture of a "HABA cup" taken from the company's online calatog is shown below.

That's my take on it, but I may be wrong ....

Mike

HABA cup.jpg (7.84 KiB) Viewed 4273 times

[sturgess66]

Oh dear - I've been listening over and over again too - both Salzburg and Sligo. A masterpiece it is.

Mike - I looked earlier at that link about HABA toys - but didn't get as far as you did. Thanks for the picture - that particular cup isn't amber - but I am thinking that it is "HABA cup!"

My hearing is not great - but I have listened over and over again - and made below some "possible" changes and put them in square brackets at the ends of lines (from Sue's last post).

Of course, as it is performed - it is a work in progress. They are making changes. And even after that - poetic license allows for changes - always.

Question - does anyone know - or has this been discussed or mentioned - is this song co-written with Sharon? Her singing of her verse is just gorgeous!!

I am pretty sure I am hearing at the very end they say "cannot read the rest" and then the last time they sing "I shall not read the rest?"

How the melody and rhythmical emphasis change in most of the "lines three" of the verses - and other places - and the arrangements and harmonies throughout - genius and brilliant. Breathtaking. And then there are the words ...

[LEONARD] [SPOKEN]
I was born in chains but I was taken out of Egypt
I was bound to a burden, but the burden it was raised
Oh Lord I can no longer keep this secret
Blessed is the name, the name be praised.

[SHARON, HATTIE AND CHARLEY]
I was born …

[LEONARD]
I was born in chains but I was taken out of Egypt
I was bound to a burden, but the burden it was raised
Oh Lord, I can no longer keep this secret
Blessed is the name, the name be praised.

[SHARON]
I fled to the edge of a mighty sea of sorrow
Pursued by the riders of a cruel and dark regime [At Salzburg – “pursued by the waters …” – ]
But the waters parted and my soul crossed over
Out of Egypt, out of Pharaoh's dream.

[LEONARD, ROSCOE, SHARON, HATTIE AND CHARLEY]
Word of words and the measure of all measures
Blessed is the name, the name be blessed
Written on my heart in burning letters
That’s all I know, cannot read the rest [I cannot read the rest]

[HATTIE]
I was idled with my soul, when I heard that you could use me [I was battered with my soul, ...??]
I followed very closely, but my life remained the same
But then you showed me where you had been wounded
In every atom, broken is the name [In every answer, broken is the name?]

[CHARLEY]
I was alone on the road, your love was so confusing
And all the teachers told me that I had myself to blame
But in the arms of sensual illusion [But in the arms I sensed an illusion?]
A sweet unknowing unified the name [unifies]

[LEONARD, ROSCOE, SHARON, HATTIE AND CHARLEY]
Word of words, and the measure of all measures
Blessed is the name, the name be blessed
Written on my heart in burning letters
That’s all I know, I do not know the rest [Salzburg - That's all I know, I cannot be to blame]

[LEONARD]
I’ve heard the soul unfold in the chambers of its longing
And the bitter liquor sweeten in the …? cup [HABA cup ?]
Ah but all the ladders of the night have fallen
Just darkness now, to lift the longing up.

[DINO on saxophone, LEONARD, ROSCOE, SHARON, HATTIE AND CHARLEY]
But all the ladders of the night have fallen
Just darkness now, to lift the longing up [Just darkness now, to lift the spirit up?]


[LEONARD, ROSCOE, SHARON, HATTIE AND CHARLEY]
Word of words, and measure of all measures
Blessed is the name, the name be blessed
Written on my heart in burning letters
That’s all I know, I cannot read the rest

[SHARON, HATTIE AND CHARLEY]
Cannot read the rest
Shall not read the rest

[Hartmut]

HABA is a German manufacturer of children's toys and other children's products, and they do manufacture children's cups.

Yes, I noticed that too. But I dismissed the idea. Maybe too quickly ...

I don't think the children's "Haba cups" are known well enough to use them in a song text. And also they don't really fit in with the religious imagery of the rest of the lyrics. But I may be wrong ...

[edlosi]

Hi,

just listened and I also would say it is "Haba cup".

[Hartmut]

Pursued by the riders of a cruel and dark regime [At Salzburg – “pursued by the water …” – at Sligo “pursued by the rising” (not "riders"? ]

In the Sligo recording there is a "d" in the middle of the word and an "s" at the end. So I doubt it's "rising” instead of "riders".

[IMM]

And the bitter liquor sweeten in the …? cup

Maybe "haba cup"? If that makes any sense ...

Apparently, "haba" is a Hebrew word that is used in phrases like "Olam Haba" ("the world to come") and "baruch haba" ("welcome").

I've only heard one version of it so far - but perhaps related to Habakkuk.

[Hartmut]

I've only heard one version of it so far - but perhaps Habakkuk.

Thank you. Interesting. There are two pronunciations of this word. And one of them would fit - almost. The last consonant of the word in the song is pronounced with closed lips. That rules out a "k". It really sounds like "cup" to me.

[IMM]

It really sounds like "cup" to me

I guess I was still editing when you quoted - but it did sound like a p to me as well. It is the darkness, not knowing, embrace, and faith imagery of the association with habbakuk that would fit.

[Hartmut]

I guess I was still editing when you quoted

Apparently. We're quick here.

[edlosi]

Hartmut wrote:
In the Sligo recording there is a "d" in the middle of the word and an "s" at the end. So I doubt it's "rising” instead of "riders".

I heard "riders" too.

Just darkness now, to lift the longing up [to lift the spirit up?]

And here it is "to lift the spirit up". (in the sligo version)

[sturgess66]

I edited above - took out some of my suggestions that became "non-suggestions" after people's comments here - and also after listening to audio on Ruth's video -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIOqjMrESLM

HATTIE - I was idled with my soul, when I heard that you could use me [I was battered with my soul, ...??]

I’m hearing a word ending in “er” – possibly “battered” ?

In every atom, broken is the name [In every answer, broken is the name?] I’m hearing an “s” – possibly “answer” ?

CHARLEY: But in the arms of sensual illusion [probably right - but a little doubt - "But in the arms I sense the illusion"?]

[Hartmut]

In every atom, broken is the name [In every answer, broken is the name?] I’m hearing an “s” – possibly “answer” ?

Hm ... for me the "t" in "atom" is very clear to hear.