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Native Air (Deluxe Edition)

by Lowland Hum

/
1.
On a dried out, empty street of asphalt and past violence, a vine from ancient seed interrupts the piercing silence. As it slides up and splits the surface of the road, the scraping shoots out harmonies more complete with every note. And the broken pieces of the street get wrapped in viney hands and stacked beside the ocean in the shape of a brass band. Old people and young children laugh as sounds emerge. The lion and the lamb sleep soundly on the earth. Crickets and dung beetles spread a quilt out near the band who once were made of black stone and now move like free men.
2.
War is Over 03:36
I know you will not stop until you see us drop, till you see us go up in flames like dying stars. I know your only thought is how to win back what you lost, cover eyes with frost and fill our brains with poison. World war is over now. Through smoke I see the solid ground. All those who have ears to hear still feel alone and draw near to warm breath and messages traced on cold mirrors. Too late, the seed escaped from the rock, the bird, the hate. And all things that truly start will someday finish. World war is over now. Through smoke I see the solid ground. The time will come for silence to be found. The crippling walls, once mighty, crumble down. The wonder of the world no longer drowned, blessing is the mourning stranger’s crown. World war is over now. Through smoke I see the solid ground.
3.
There is a place I visit on some nights when the world sleeps. Sun steals the memory of that distant space. I'm left with a hint of a taste. I have a memory of heaven, but it's thinning like smoke on the wind. And I'm starting to doubt it. I'm thinking it might never have been. But the strong desire keeps my feet moving. The fire is not an illusion.
4.
Twine 02:08
We follow roads that wind like twine through country side, the poor and the fine. We rode in cars packed to the brim with books and friends, eager as kids. Seeking peace and silent sound but the road could not be found. Three times drove past and turned around. Home sweet home, our cabin in the pines. Couch rearranged, the stories spilled, unguarded mouths as life filled the house. Drip, drip, drip, goes shower, sink, keeping time on metal beneath. Seeking peace and silent sound. Hours of heaviness profound. Moon, soft moon, your mist, sweet perfume.
5.
Albatross 05:46
On a pitch black night with gossamer wings Beating out just around the edges A golden albatross burst onto the scene Like arrows filled with fire poking holes in my dreams Making way for a mountain and a river flowing free I hear bells Closer than my skin A silver tone pierced a stock-still night The clapper struck the bell with thunder Its echoes filled the earth with violent shaking sounds The people woke and stood on hill and hallowed ground The sound so bright it released them from their shadows I hear bells Closer than my skin A coal laid on my tongue A vision broke my thumbs A golden thorn pierced my scorn And a newer light is born A man pulls back the string on a single bow of bronze It was fitted with the sharpest of arrows He aimed it toward the void He aimed it to destroy The crippling lies of cynics and fools Yet the tip was filled with seeds Which grew up into mighty trees And the forest came back up around the city
6.
I am a trumpet barely sounding, breaking back beats beside fountains, as the notes roll into town squares where the music moves the mountains. When the trumpet and train whistle, sing harmony with me, I’ll march bravely through all my darkest memories. I’ll leave them in the dust. No inkling will remain. I’ll leave them in the dust. They’ll rot in forgotten graves.
7.
Pocket Knife 01:53
I saw a haystack under a tree. I found a pinwheel and took it home with me. Upstairs by the window, snow is drifting soft and its bright. Upstairs by the window no one can see me looking outside.
8.
White Stone 03:43
The faces of a mirror ripple like stirred water. My hand pushed through the silver to touch the face of God. From my mouth you’re always drawing dark sayings from of old. I’m talking like my father, and bearing my brother’s load. I’ll tell the truth to children, not dress it up in white. The house is one divided, the clock can’t be turned back. Come save the weak and needy. Give justice to the weary. The wanderer is bleary-eyed. The sunlight has grown cold. This ones for the prisoner. You hear his lonely sigh. I want my white stone. Tell me my name.
9.
Linens 05:10
Little tiny bud, soft, sweet and shy. Sings with her eyes closed, dreams by her window. Paper is her kingdom on the floor of her room. I remember the classroom where I heard of the good news, and I sang out the true songs with glue on my fingers from a new paper Jesus, and I was content. Studied for the good grades and I spoke not the bad words. I prayed for my sad friends and worshipped the romance deep in my garden But man built my garden and filled it with lies. Little tired flower lost all her color. She's singin a new song but she cries in the shower. She worships the beauty, but that's all there is and life feels too long. And that's all there is. I remember the moment you breathed on my small heart. Your voice was a whisper at the foot of my bed. My room washed in yellow by the sun of a new day. I sang with my eyes closed. I wasn't afraid. I hear the sound of the freeway from the room where we make love. The shouting so violent of invisible strangers, but I'm still where we make love. Sometimes I'm thankful, sometimes I forget.
10.
Don’t send me to Sheol. It’s too much like home. I’ve known the palest mornings. I’ve held back locusts swarming. O don’t leave. Don’t send me to Sheol. The cracked earth is too tired. I see the highways crawling, I hear the tall trees longing. My house is empty. I’ve seen a holy man cut down. I’ve lived in shadows of great fathers. I’ve watched my generation sleep.
11.
Noise of Day 04:02
We wait for it, however long. I don't need to know though I choke. I don't need to know. Just bless me before you go. Give me a child, don't let me waste. I don't need to know thought I choke. I don't need to know. Just bless me before you go. My sheets are warm. I eat my tears until the noise of day. We wait for it.
12.
Reprise 00:52
13.
Sun Flare 00:56
14.
How Long 04:24
How long, O my God, how long until I see you? My bones ache. You know my heart's awake so how long until I see you? She saw a rose and it won’t let her go. They ask me: Where have you been and where are you going? I build cathedrals in the hearts of the people that I know. How long, O my God, how long until I see you? My bones ache. You know my hearts awake so how long until I see you? I’m waiting for Mount Zion.

about

These songs were written primarily during our first year of marriage and recorded in the months surrounding our first anniversary. Many moments within this album document aspects of our search for unity, wholeness, and shared identity. We are honored that you would spend time listening.

credits

released August 6, 2013

All songs written by Daniel Levi Goans and Lauren Plank Goans except “How Long” and “Albatross” by Daniel Levi Goans and “Linens” by Lauren Plank Goans.
All songs © 2013 Daniel Levi Goans Music (ASCAP)

Produced by Daniel Levi Goans
Recorded and engineered by Daniel Levi Goans at Bill and Joann’s
Mixed by Rick Parker
Mastered by Brent Lambert at Kitchen Mastering
Art and design by Lauren Plank Goans
Honey Badger font by Zac Neulieb
Lowland Hum plays Rigaud Guitars and uses ADK Microphones

Credits:
Joseph Dickey-upright bass (Twine, War is Over)
Luke Skaggs-viola, violin, banjo (Eden)
David Wimbish-violin, cello (War is Over)
Guion Pratt-upstream guitar and spectral choir (Albatross)
Edd Kerr-electric guitar (How Long)
Special thanks to Edd for his beautiful composition “Sun Flare”
Very special thanks to Alex Mejias and Guion Pratt for countless hours of exploration, listening, searching and finding.

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Lowland Hum Charlottesville, Virginia

Lowland Hum is looking for ways to serve you.
They have time, will and the means of production.

For over twelve years they've been a landing strip for your lesser-loved emotions. You can go listen to all of that if you like; eight albums, several EPs, yadda yadda.

They aren't slowing down. Except metaphysically.

Lauren and Daniel Goans are into DIY. They make their own music and art.
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