This is a song from one man's perspective after he kills his brother. Though I do mean it to be a direct interpretation of the story of Cain and Abel, for me, it applies to the general feeling of guilt you can have after hurting someone you love. The life of guilt Cain now has is arguably a less fortunate state than Abel's state who is now dead and can move on from the troubled world. 
The verses alternate speakers, Cain speaks first then his slain brother responds in verse 2. The chorus is from Cain's perspective as he battles his brother's ghost. Verses 3 and 4 follow the same structure- Cain speaks first and Abel responds.

Brother can you hear me call?
I am lost again
I was told it's times like these a man falls into sin
And in the morning light
The blood on my hands
Brother can you hear me call?
I am lost again

Brother is there reason why you wanted me to go?
Oh I know it must be hard 
Standing in my shadow
This world is often cruel and life can seem so slow
Brother is there reason why you wanted me to go?

The sun is setting now
The night will bring us home
And in the field you lay a man slain by his own
Death is just a savior sent to rescue us all
But I am so alive that I'm so lost
Brother can you hear me call?

Brother I could hear you die
And God knows I'm unstable
Still I've tried to kill those thoughts
And I've never quite been Abel
Oh I tried to take it back
I tried to find that pure soul
But brother I could hear you die
As God holds me unstable

Brother I was told one night
That one day we'd be close
Watch our kids turn into age
And laugh away the shadows
So tell your son to set before
The night speaks to his ghosts
Cause brother I was told one night 
That one day we'd be close

The sun is setting now
The night will bring us home
And in the field you lay a man slain by his own
Death is just a savior sent to rescue us all
But I am so alive that I'm so lost
Brother can you hear me call?

Cain and Abel

The first movement from the song cycle "Mirrors"
Tatum Spears - Soprano
Ann Lavender - Piano
Text by Sylvia Plath

Mirrors - I. Words

The second movement from the song cycle "Mirrors"
Tatum Spears - Soprano
Ann Lavender - Piano
Text by Sylvia Plath

Mirrors - II. On Looking Into the Eyes of a Demon Lover

The third movement from the song cycle "Mirrors"
Tatum Spears - Soprano
Ann Lavender - Piano
Text by Sylvia Plath

Mirrors - III. Morning Song

The fourth movement from the song cycle "Mirrors"
This movement is a solo piano interlude inspired by the poem "Balloons" by Sylvia Plath.

Ann Lavender - Piano


Mirrors - IV. Balloons (Interlude)

The fifth movement from the song cycle "Mirrors"
Tatum Spears - Soprano
Ann Lavender - Piano
Text by Sylvia Plath

Mirrors - V. Child

The sixth and final movement from the song cycle "Mirrors"
Tatum Spears - Soprano
Ann Lavender - Piano
Text by Sylvia Plath

Mirrors - VI. Mirror

A song written after the shocking and tragic death of a good friend who is terribly missed. 
This is a live performance from East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN. The pianist is Ann Lavender. 

Remembering

A setting of Psalm 101 for electric guitar, SATB choir, mezzo and tenor soloists. 

For my days are vanished like smoke: and my bones are grown dry like fuel for the fire.
Hear O Lord my prayer and let my cry come to thee.
Through the voice of my groaning, my bone hath cleaved to my flesh.
For I did eat ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping.
My days have declined like a shadow, and I am withered like grass.


Psalm 101

One for my daughter, Eliot. Multi-tracked on garageband with an MXL 770 condenser. 

Bright Blue Eyes

original song, recorded with studiomini on an iPhone 6

Couldn't Sleep

If you like my work, want to commission a composition, book a live show or talk about music don't hesitate to email me at zroyale@gmail.com

ZRRoss

Popular tracks