And Am I Born To Die

AND AM I BORN TO DIE (or Idumea) is an old hymn from the shape note hymn tradition of the Appalachian mountains. There are many verses -- and the verses lead toward redemption (the final verse is "Waked by the trumpet sound, I from my grave shall rise, and see the Judge with glory crowned, and see the flaming skies") -- but the reason that we focused on these two is the situation we see in the world around us right now.

Kent spent much time in the middle east, working with Arabic and Israeli kids, studying the conflict in Jerusalem, and studying traditional Palestinian Arabic music. He got to know many children who knew death too closely. One boy, Asel Asleh, an incredible human being -- a teenager who knew, loved, and was loved in return by his 'enemy'. He went to a demonstration on October 2, 2000, and was brutally killed. Kent dedicates this song to him, and to all children who have to cope with the reality of death all around them.

For more information about Asel, visit the website his family made as a memorial to him, and to his peacemaking: www.slider17.com

And Am I Born to Die (Idumea)
Charles Wesley 1763, A. Davidson 1816
 
And am I born to die
To lay this body down
Or must my trembling spirit fly
Into a world unknown
 
Soon as from earth I go
What will become of me
Eternal happiness or woe
Must then my portion be

Back to the Stolen Shack Album

Kent Gustavson, vocals
Nicholas Walker, string bass

*recorded live through one microphone*