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

[brightnow]

After listening to the available recordings endlessly, I am almost positive that the cup is a hammered cup.

I searched for a while but couldn't find a direct reference to a "hammered cup" in any scripture (Jewish or Christian), but many of the vessels of the Hebrew temples (both the tabernacle of Moses and Solomon's permanent temple) are described as "hammered" (usually hammered gold or hammered copper) and many of those vessels were in fact cups.

[Edit] A more fluid line of reasoning in favor of "hammered cup": the song starts with the exodus, and the word "chamber" appears in the line before, another indication that the "cup" is a vessel of the tabernacle?

Perhaps someone more versed in scripture and literature than myself can find a direct reference to a "hammered cup"?

[Hartmut]

After listening to the available recordings endlessly, I am almost positive that the cup is a hammered cup.

brightnow, I tend to think you're right.

If you google around a bit, you find a lot of references to hammered Kiddush cups. And if we can believe Wikipedia, Kiddush (literally: "sanctification") is "a blessing recited over wine or grape juice".

I think you win the prize.

[edlosi]

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” ?

I didn't hear any "r" but I clearly heard the"i" of idled

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

For me too.

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

I think I it is "al" at the end.

After listening to the available recordings endlessly, I am almost positive that the cup is a hammered cup.

I have been listening several times again and I still hear a "b"

[sue7]

After listening to the available recordings endlessly, I am almost positive that the cup is a hammered cup.

I searched for a while but couldn't find a direct reference to a "hammered cup" in any scripture (Jewish or Christian), but many of the vessels of the Hebrew temples (both the tabernacle of Moses and Solomon's permanent temple) are described as "hammered" (usually hammered gold or hammered copper) and many of those vessels were in fact cups.

[Edit] A more fluid line of reasoning in favor of "hammered cup": the song starts with the exodus, and the word "chamber" appears in the line before, another indication that the "cup" is a vessel of the tabernacle?

Perhaps someone more versed in scripture and literature than myself can find a direct reference to a "hammered cup"?

brightnow, that's brilliant. I really think you're correct: I can hear it now, as I listen again.
I've revised the version that's up on the thread.
Sue

[bridger15]

After listening to the available recordings endlessly, I am almost positive that the cup is a hammered cup.

I searched for a while but couldn't find a direct reference to a "hammered cup" in any scripture (Jewish or Christian), but many of the vessels of the Hebrew temples (both the tabernacle of Moses and Solomon's permanent temple) are described as "hammered" (usually hammered gold or hammered copper) and many of those vessels were in fact cups.

[Edit] A more fluid line of reasoning in favor of "hammered cup": the song starts with the exodus, and the word "chamber" appears in the line before, another indication that the "cup" is a vessel of the tabernacle?

Perhaps someone more versed in scripture and literature than myself can find a direct reference to a "hammered cup"?

This may be a stretch, but here goes. When I did a google search on the two words in quotes "hammered cup", one of the hits was a website selling hammered silver Kiddush cups.
http://www.thefind.com/kitchen/info-ham ... iddush-cup

And to further the stretch, LC's daughter Lorca owns an antique store in LA (near LC's Hatter) and may, from time to time, carry this kind of hammered Kiddush cup in her inventory.

[brightnow]

I think you win the prize.

Oh I hope my prize will come soon -- in the form of a concert announcement for a venue I can actually get to this year

brightnow, ...I really think you're correct: I can hear it now, as I listen again.
I've revised the version that's up on the thread.
Sue

Thanks Sue

One more wild conjecture from me: I really like "In every atom", that's what I heard at first too. But in the context of Exodus, perhaps it is "In every idol broken is the name"? [Edit: upon further listening, no. The "T" in either "item" or "atom" here is undeniable]

[John Etherington]

Great song! I've watched the Prague and Sligo videos once and they're excellent, but I'll give it a rest now, as I don't want the song to be too familiar before I hear the finished album version. I haven't had time to read all of the posts here, and I guess this may have already been mentioned, but presumably the lyrics for this song are the ones (or similar) to those that Leonard was originally going to use for "i Can't Forget" - when it was called "Out of Egypt". I tried to sing a couple of verses to the tune of "I Can't Forget" and they seem to fit, pretty well. I'm now really hoping for another U.K. concert in the not too distant future.

All good things, John E

[gijs]

G bm em em
G bm em D
C E am F C Edim7 D

B em ( 2x)
C cm G em Edim7 D


that's better

[Hartmut]

correction on chords

Thanks.

[holydove]

I thought the word before "cup" sounded like "habad", which, based on my long-ago Hebrew education as a young child, sounded like it could be a Hebrew word. So I googled it, & "chabad" came up, & I remember clearly (I was once fluent in Hebrew, albeit a long time ago) that the Hebrew letter (which is called "ches") that can sound like either "ch" or "h", is pronounced, by the more Orthodox Jews, as an "h". And this is what I found under "chabad":

Chabad-Lubavitch is one of the world's largest Hasidic movements in Orthodox Judaism. The word "chabad" is an acronym for Chochmah (Wisdom), Binah (Understanding) & Da'at(Knowledge); Chochmah & Binah are 2 of the 10 Sefirot in the teachings of Kabbalah, & Da'at, while not considered a true Sefirah, is thought to unify the energies of Cochma/Wisdom & Binah/Understanding, transmitting them to the lower Sefirot as knowledge. (From what I've read, Da'at is somewhat enigmatic, even to Kabbalists). Chabad traditions & prayer services are based on Lurianic Kabbalah.

I'll refrain from going into detail about the philosophy, but one of the Chabad customs is that, instead of wearing the fur hats that other Hasidic groups wear, most adherents wear a black fedora.

Anyway, in terms of the lyric, ". . .bitter liquor sweetens in the _____ cup", I think "chabad", with the beginning phoneme pronounced like an "h", could fit, if one thinks in terms of the practice, contemplation & philosophy of this religion, as having the power to "sweeten" one's experience of the "bitter liquor" of this earthly realm. A "cup" of Wisdom, Understanding & Knowledge. . .

[Hartmut]

I think "chabad", with the beginning phoneme pronounced like an "h", could fit, if one thinks in terms of the practice, contemplation & philosophy of this religion,

Interesting. Thanks.

.

one of the Chabad customs is that, instead of wearing the fur hats that other Hasidic groups wear, most adherents wear a black fedora.

Well, that nails it.

[sturgess66]

I recall "waters" both in Zagreb s/c and Salzburg show.

I uploaded Salzburg's Feels So Good to YouTube, and I have half of Born in Chains. As Maarten's vieo is much better and complete I didn't think to upload my video, but I could do it if it would help with the transcript of the lyrics. We also have mp3 of the show, in beatiful sound quality, so that will help also.

Tom - I would like to see it - even if it is a partial, it was the first performance ever of this song. A world premiere! (Born in Chains).

[davdevalle]

Here is my reading of the Sligo version. It being the latest

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.

I fled to the end of a mighty sea of sorrow
Pursued by the riders of a cruel and dark regime
But the waters parted and my soul crossed over
Out of Egypt, out of Pharaoh's dream.

Word of word and the measure of all measure
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

I was idle with my soul, when I heard (learnt) that you could use me
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

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
A sweet unknowing unified the name

Word of word and the measure of all measure
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

I heard the soul unfold in the chamber of its longing
As the bitter liquor sweetens in the hammered cup
Ah 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

Word of word and measure of all measure
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

[Hartmut]

Here is my reading of the Sligo version.

Looks good.

Word of word and the measure of all measure

Do you really hear a "the" here?

[FOXWOOD]

Here is my reading of the Sligo version.

I heard the soul unfold in the chamber of its longing
As the bitter liquor sweetens in the hammered cup
Ah but all the ladders of the night have fallen
Just darkness now to lift the longing up

May I suggest the following small changes?

I've heard the soul unfold in the chambers of its longing
And the bitter liquor sweeten in the hammered cup
Ah but all the ladders of the night have fallen
Just darkness now to lift the longing up

Word of word and the measure of all measure - appears the first time it is sung