Metaxy by Upstate
The title for this one comes from Simone Weil’s Gravity and Grace by way of Plato's Symposium. In the Ancient Greek, it means something akin to “in-betweeness” or “mediation”. The song itself is almost like a little prayer about the mystery and scandal of reconciliation and mercy in the world and beyond it. The first three verses are about figures in history who could never be reconciled in life, and the final verse is about God’s merciful will amid one the 20th century’s greatest horrors. The music for this one was a really collaborative effort with the band. When we first cut the track, I didn’t have a fourth verse written, but Mary knew it needed one so we left the space for it. That last verse ended up really being the capstone for the whole song. - Harry D'Agostino
Tracklist
| 1. | Metaxy | 4:25 |
Lyrics
Saint Paul said to Saint Stephen
Well I guess that makes us even
As Stephen wiped the rubble from his brow
And Stephen said to Paul
You’ve seen one you’ve seen ‘em all
I hope that we can laugh about it now
And Henry said to Becket
I don’t know what you expected
Even God said render Caesar what is his
Said Becket to the king
That won’t amount to anything
If you can’t recognize just what it is
You don’t know how it will break from where it bends
Just don’t mistake the middle for the end
And Flannery O’Connor
Couldn’t summon up the honor
To sit and face James Baldwin in the South
She knew the Truth was something more
Than what she had a stomach for
Or a misfit’s kind of grace to sort it out
A calm came over sister
Saint Theresa Benedicta
Praying in a train car heading east
For Love’s lasting mediation
In our reconciliation
That could swallow all creation in its breach
You don’t know how it will break from where it bends
Just don’t mistake the middle for the end
You don’t know how it will break from where it bends
Just don’t mistake the middle for the end
What you give and what you take, it all depends
But just don’t mistake the middle for the end
Don’t mistake the middle for the end
Credits
Mary Webster: Vocals, Guitar
Melanie Glenn: Vocals, Guitar
Harry D’Agostino: Vocals, Bass, Guitar, Pump Organ
Dylan McKinstry: Vocals, Guitars, Mandolin, Piano, Synths, Pump Organ
Additional performances:
Lee Falco: Drums & Percussion
Steve McKinstry: Hammond Organ
Conor Webster: Piano on Metaxy
