Recently out of curiosity I logged into my distributor account and pulled down a report of every Augustinus Vox song and the number of times it has been played. This report does not include Spotify, where nearly half of all listens come in, so I also pulled a separate Spotify report to get those numbers.
I sent both reports to the “A.I. overlord” and I inquired about the top 10 tracks by number of plays. It responded back with the top 10 tracks, which quite surprised me because a song I did not expect was listed first. Here is the list.
1. The Living Law 2. Shadow of a Doubt 3. The Handing Over 4. Canticle of the Creatures 5. The Order of Love (Instrumental) 6. Grief and Gratitude 7. The Light Beyond the Tomb – Piano Sessions Version 8. Nothing for Certain 9. Heart and Mind 10. The Question of Joy
Upon checking further it seems that someone recently utilized The Living Law within some kind of social media short or ad and this caused it to jump up to the number one spot.
On seeing this, I began a journey to recall what that song was about and how it came to be. One memory that is very distinct is that the idea for the song occurred to me over a lunch break and that it was a song inspired by Augustine’s Retractions where he comments on and critiques his past works. At the time I had been working and thinking about the Immortality of the Soul album for several weeks and had essentially finished the album. I was in what I call the QA stage where I listen over and over and then make micro adjustments to songs and sometimes regenerate a song entirely when I like the tune but dislike aspects of how it sounds or the way the lyrics are sung. In this phase I explored Augustine’s Retractions and he had this to say about the work:
After the books of the Soliloquies, once I had returned from the countryside near Milan, I wrote a book called On the Immortality of the Soul. I had intended it to serve as a kind of reminder for finishing the Soliloquies, which had been left incomplete. But somehow, against my wishes, it got into people’s hands, and so it is counted among my works. At the very beginning, the force and brevity of its chain of arguments make it so obscure that it tires even my own attention when it is read, and I can hardly understand it myself.
Then, because I was thinking of nothing but human souls, I said in one argument in that same book, “There cannot be any discipline in that which learns nothing.” And elsewhere I said, “Knowledge embraces nothing except what belongs to some discipline.” It did not occur to me that God does not learn disciplines, and yet has knowledge of all things, including foreknowledge of future events. Something similar appears where I said, “No being has life together with reason except the soul.” But life without reason certainly cannot be denied of God, since in him there is both the highest life and the highest reason. And I also said earlier, “That which is understood is always of this kind,” even though the mind too is understood, and yet it is not always of this kind. Again, when I said that the mind cannot be separated from eternal reason because it is not joined to it spatially, I certainly would not have said that if I had already been so trained in the Holy Scriptures as to remember what is written: “Your sins separate you from God.” From this it is clear that even things joined not by place but in an incorporeal way can still be said to be separated.
I also cannot recall what I meant when I said, “If the soul is without a body, it is not in this world.” For are the souls of the dead not without bodies? Or are they not in this world? As though the lower regions are not part of this world. But since I used being “without a body” in a positive sense, perhaps by “body” I meant bodily afflictions. If that is what I meant, then I used the word far too strangely. This too was said rashly: that bodily form is given by the soul from the highest essence, and that a body exists, to whatever degree it exists, through the soul. Therefore, the body subsists through the soul, and exists by the very fact that it is animated, whether universally, as in the world, or particularly, as in each individual living thing within the world. All of this was said altogether too rashly.
This book begins: “If there is such a thing as discipline anywhere…”
In the above quote we see Augustine’s awareness that some of what he shared in the work was shared in ignorance of the Scriptures. This idea prompted me to explore a song that incorporated scripture and his later corrections. The song came together quickly and here it is!
Our new album is officially out and beginning its journey to a streaming platform near you. We call it Ambrosian Catechesis, Vol. 2: The Light of Mystery. Our aim here is to journey with Augustine into the post-baptism instruction he may have received from Ambrose.
We draw on several sources for this album, chiefly a work referred to as On the Mysteries (listen to the entire work translated into English). This is a work of Ambrose where he explains to those newly baptized what they have recently experienced. It is a work filled with biblical imagery and explanation.
One example is Ambrose’s description of a practice where before baptism, the phrase Ephphatha was spoken over the person. This phrase comes from the Gospels and is a well-known phrase Jesus spoke over a deaf man before healing. Ambrose describes it this way:
So open your ears, and take in the good fragrance of eternal life, breathed into you through the gift of the sacraments. This is what we signaled to you when, celebrating the mystery of the opening, we said: “Ephphatha”—which means “Be opened”—so that each person coming to grace would know what he was being asked, and would remember what he should answer.
Christ celebrated this mystery in the Gospel, as we read, when he healed a man who could not speak and could not hear. But he touched the man’s mouth, because he was healing both a man who could not speak and a man himself. In the one case, so that his mouth would be opened by the sound of the voice poured into it; in the other, because that kind of touch was fitting for a man, but not fitting for a woman.
Here Ambrose touches on the practice of saying Ephphatha as celebrating the mystery of the opening. It is meant, then, both to symbolize the act of God in bringing the person to baptism and to serve as preparation for the act itself. It is a wonderful phrase that symbolizes God’s act of healing the human heart.
Ambrose himself held a view of baptism in which baptism is a real saving mystery in which God forgives sins, grants new life, joins the believer to Christ, and brings the person into the life of the Church. This is a view both similar to and quite different from the view many Christians hold today. On the one hand a Roman Catholic for example would find much to agree with in the practice and the way it is described, seeing in the descriptions echoes of their own experience in the church. On the other hand an Evangelical would find this view of baptism to be stronger than the typical evangelical view that baptism is a symbol of an inward reality and perhaps be challenged by the ancient understanding to consider a different view. Regardless, both view baptism on a basic level as marking a change that God has worked in bringing a lost person to Himself. And so we celebrate with Ambrose this mystery and consider that wonderful working of God in the heart.
Another interesting aspect of the quote above is the last sentence regarding the touch being fitting for a man and not a woman. This is not meant to say the practice of saying Ephphatha was not done over both genders. Rather here Ambrose is speaking to a real cultural reality of Jesus’ day in which to perform a healing in the manner of touching the tongue would have been inappropriate had the man not been a man. So think of it like a kind of side comment about the culture and time not as an indication that men received a different version of the rite than a woman. Phrases like this can be a little jarring at times when reading ancient writers and they remind us of the gap in time and culture as I would doubt that a modern teacher would have said the same in that manner. One aspect this phrase brings out though is the very personal nature of the healing Jesus performs for the individual and this is something we know all too well across gender differences. When the Lord moves to heal us he does so at the most personal level. What a cool Lord!
All this to say we begin our new album with a song inspired by this mystery in the hope we all might experience as well as remember that healing. Ephphatha, friends!
VOX001 says: “One song at a time? My robot filing cabinet approves.”
Released 03/17/2026
An album inspired by Ambrose’s post-baptism sacramental catechesis, reimagined as a luminous 1980s rock journey through baptism, Eucharist, Spirit, and new life.
Below are the full lyrics for all 12 tracks from Ambrosian Catechesis, Vol. 2: The Light of Mystery by Augustinus Vox, including “Ephphatha,” “Buried with Him,” “The Bread of Angels,” “New Creation,” and “The Dove Descends.”
Not just the surface The unseen Not just the sound Believe
Ephphatha Be opened
Ears awake Heart awake Do not forget
Ephphatha Be opened Ephphatha Be opened
Buried with Him
You stepped into the water That looked like any other stream Stone and shadow common earth Nothing more than it had seemed But heaven leaned into the moment Though your eyes could only see What is touched by grace eternal Is not what it appears to be
Do not trust the surface only Do not weigh it by the sight What is seen is passing shadow What is unseen breathes with life
You were buried with Him In the deep where sin grows still You were buried with Him In the silence of His will Dead to the world that fades and lies Raised to God to endless light You were buried with Him And you rose to life that night
You confessed the name of Father You confessed the Son made known You confessed the living Spirit Hold the order you were shown Not the water did the healing Not the river not the tide But the grace that moved beneath it When the cross stood at your side
Remember what your voice has spoken Remember what your heart has sworn Faith has shaped you in that descent And a new self has been born
You were buried with Him Where the old self met its end You were buried with Him Where the grave became a womb again Dead to sin its weight undone Raised to God forever free You were buried with Him And you rose to eternity
Seven times the river called And nothing changed within Until obedience met mercy And grace did what water never did So do not doubt what touched you there Do not call that moment thin What God has sealed in mystery No power can unbegin
You were buried with Him Not in symbol not in name But in truth that breaks the darkness In resurrection flame Dead to the world its empty breath Alive to God His victory Believe this now with steady heart These waters were not empty
Were not empty
The Oil of Strength
You rose from out the waters And you came before the throne Not in weakness not in silence But as one the Lord has known Then the oil upon your forehead Spoke a promise clear and sure You are marked for life and courage You are chosen and secure
Like the oil on Aaron’s beard Flowing down with holy fire Grace was poured upon your calling Lifting heart and soul much higher
This is the oil of strength The sign upon your head You are crowned with living mercy With the life the Spirit said This is the oil of strength You are sealed and set apart Made a royal priest forever With His name upon your heart
Eyes that see must lead the body Wisdom rises from the head So the blessing finds its purpose Where the Spirit’s light is spread Not for rest but for the journey Not for ease but faithful stand Every soul anointed now For the work of God’s own hand
Drawn by love that calls your name Drawn by fragrance from the King Every heart renewed in courage Feels the strength this oil brings
This is the oil of strength The sign upon your head You are crowned with living mercy With the life the Spirit said This is the oil of strength You are sealed and set apart Made a royal priest forever With His name upon your heart
Draw us after You we answered Running in Your risen light Breathing in the scent of life That turns the darkness into sight What was poured is not forgotten What was given will remain Strength to stand and strength to serve In the glory of His name
This is the oil of strength Not a memory not a sign But a living gift of power Grace that claims this life as mine This is the oil of strength You are armed with holy fire
Note: Song ends after the above lyrics but originally it was intended to end with following:
Sent to walk as risen people Sent to lift the world up higher
The Bread of Angels
I held it in my hands so ordinary A common loaf beneath the candlelight But heaven leans in close when the words are spoken And the earth remembers why it has a voice
Not my words no not my breath A higher Word that wakes the dust The same command that carved out oceans Now turns the simple into trust
Before the Word it’s bread in my sight After the Word it’s holy life He spoke the stars He spoke the seas He speaks this gift inside of me No fear of blood no shock of night But ransom hidden blazing bright The Bread of Angels heaven’s sign The living Body mine to find
He said receive and what He says becomes it A promise stronger than my doubt can be If all creation rose when He commanded Then let my heart rise up and learn to see
Not my reason no not my proof But faithful Witness sure and true If He declares it I will answer Amen so let it carry through
Before the Word it’s bread in my sight After the Word it’s holy life He spoke the stars He spoke the seas He speaks this gift inside of me No fear of blood no shock of night But ransom hidden blazing bright The Bread of Angels heaven’s sign The living Body mine to find
I was old an empty name A tired creation bent in shame But when He speaks He makes me new A new creation breaking through The altar glows the table stands The covenant in open hands And in that Word the world is changed And I am changed
Before the Word it’s bread in my sight After the Word it’s holy life He spoke the stars He spoke the seas He speaks this gift inside of me No fear of blood no shock of night But ransom hidden blazing bright The Bread of Angels heaven’s sign The living Body mine to find
Amen amen The Word has spoken so I live Amen amen The Bread of Angels I receive
New Creation
I came worn thin by borrowed names A fragile heart a debt of shame Born with riches lost the gold Trading glory for the cold
But He did not leave me there He met me at the font and flame Where dying ends the reign of death And rising calls me by a Name
I was old but now I’m new A new creation breaking through What was dust now learns to breathe What was bound is finally free Daily Bread eternal flame He feeds my life He seals my name I was old but now I’m new New creation made in You
Not once a year not distant light But living fire here tonight If I still fall He still remains The medicine for all my pain
Each time I come with empty hands Each time His mercy meets my need Not memory alone but life Renewed in what I now receive
I was old but now I’m new A new creation breaking through What was dust now learns to breathe What was bound is finally free Daily Bread eternal flame He feeds my life He seals my name I was old but now I’m new New creation made in You
If I am wounded here is cure If I am weak this makes me sure If I still stumble in the night This Bread restores my strength to fight He said today and still He says My mercy does not age or fade If Christ is risen every day Then every day I rise again
I was old but now I’m new A new creation breaking through What was dust now learns to breathe What was bound is finally free Daily Bread eternal flame He feeds my life He seals my name I was old but now I’m new New creation made in You
Today He feeds me today I live Today I rise in what I receive Today today New creation Amen
Our Father
Out of the water out of the night I rise with a borrowed breath No longer bound to the dust below No longer marked by death I speak a name I could not claim Before the light broke through Not distant throne not hidden fire But Father calling me too
Not fear not silence Not a stranger’s door I stand as one reborn
Our Father High above yet nearer than my breath Your kingdom come Your will be done Here in this fragile flesh Give us the bread that does not fade Forgive what we became Lead us through the trial of night Deliver us by name
Daily hunger daily need But not for dust alone A living bread a deeper fire A life no grave has known I learned this prayer beside the font Where mercy learned my face Where every debt was washed away By undeserved grace
I do not ask as one outside But as a child who knows
Our Father High above yet nearer than my breath Your kingdom come Your will be done Here in this fragile flesh Give us the bread that does not fade Forgive what we became Lead us through the trial of night Deliver us by name
Not from stone but from the table Not from fear but from the Son Every word a mark of promise You have made us one If You clothe the fields with glory If You hear the smallest cry How much more will You sustain us As we walk this newborn life
Our Father Let Your mercy shape our days Your kingdom come Your will be done In love that never strays We are not lost we are not alone We speak because we’re known Our Father Hear the voice of those You’ve claimed as Your own
Our Father
The Red Sea
Night fell hard on our escape Iron thunder at our heels Water towering like a gate Panic was the only thing we’d feel
We cried out shaking out of breath Still tasting Egypt in our lungs Then Moses raised the staff of God And the deep learned a new song
Cloud ahead fire behind You were with us in the fear Not by blade and not by might By Your promise drawing near
Through the sea You carried me Out of chains into the free What was shadow now is true What was figure now is new Down I go old life erased Up I rise remade by grace Through the sea at break of dawn I am Yours and fear is gone
Walls of water left and right A narrow road Your hand designed Every step became a prayer Every heartbeat learned to trust Your light
The cloud came close and covered us The fire burned our doubt away Where it looked like we would die You made a way You made a way
Not a tale that faded out Not a wonder trapped in time This same crossing marks us still When we meet the water’s line
Through the sea You carried me Out of chains into the free What was shadow now is true What was figure now is new Down I go old life erased Up I rise remade by grace Through the sea at break of dawn I am Yours and fear is gone
The sea didn’t take the people It took the ones who hunted us The wave that judged the tyrant’s pride Became our rescue bloodless just
Water and Spirit cover me Make my ending be my start I die there with the old demand I rise here with a living heart
Through the sea You carried me Out of death into the free Not to drown beneath the night But to rise into the light Down I go old life erased Up I rise remade by grace Through the sea at break of dawn I am Yours and fear is gone
You still speak seas open wide Freedom’s born on the other side
The Jordan Opens
I came with dust on my hands With old names on my skin Looking for a river deep enough To drown what I’ve been I thought the cure was farther off Some brighter foreign stream But mercy waits in humble water Like waking from a dream
Not every water heals the heart Not every wave makes clean But grace can take a common thing And make it more than seen
Open Jordan open wide Let the old life pass inside Not just element not just rain But mercy spoken into name Down I go and up I rise Newborn fire behind my eyes When the river meets the Word The Jordan opens
Naaman walked in wounded pride Is this the whole of it Seven steps into ordinary To unmake the counterfeit And I know that voice in me That bargains doubts delays But healing isn’t in the distance It’s in obedience’s blaze
Not every water carries light Not every plunge is peace But when the Christ steps into it The chains begin to cease
Open Jordan open wide Let the old life pass inside Not just element not just rain But mercy spoken into name Down I go and up I rise Newborn fire behind my eyes When the river meets the Word The Jordan opens
He did not need the washing Yet He entered for my sake First into the flowing darkness So the waters wake Then the Dove a sign of gentleness Descending without fear And the Father’s pleasure thundered Love made crystal clear Trinitas in one bright moment Light within the flood He sanctifies the river And calls my pulse His own blood
Open Jordan open wide Let the old life pass inside Not just element not just rain But mercy spoken into name Down I go and up I rise Newborn fire behind my eyes When the river meets the Word The Jordan opens When the river meets the Word The Jordan opens
Open open open
Signaculum
Remember the seal Keep what you received The Father marked me The Son confirmed me The Spirit lives within A pledge that will not fade
Wisdom Understanding Counsel Strength Knowledge Piety Holy Fear
Remember the seal
Wisdom Understanding Counsel Strength Knowledge Piety Holy Fear
Guard the gift Hold to the vow Do not forget What God has done
Wisdom Understanding Counsel Strength Knowledge Piety Holy Fear
Remember the seal Keep what you received
The Dove Descends
Not counted with the all things that serve Not numbered among the works of hands He moves above the waters still Unmeasured free and uncommanded Not sent like tools from place to place Yet present where the faithful are A breath that cannot be confined A fire that leaves the heart a star
The world can’t see Him The world can’t name Him But grace arrives like dawn
O Dove descending Seal of the living God Mark of the promise Burn away the fog Write Your light within me Where no thief can tread Make my heart Your temple Wake what looked like dead O Spirit holy Freedom Stay and do not cease Where You are there is liberty Where You are there is peace
Not merely water on the skin But hidden signing in the soul A sacred imprint in the chest A pledge that makes the shattered whole The finger of the living God Unbinds the serpent’s ancient claim The darkness yields the idols fall And fear forgets its former name
Not lesser not divided One working with the Father’s will One glory undiminished One love that sanctifies us still
O Dove descending Seal of the living God Mark of the promise Burn away the fog Write Your light within me Where no thief can tread Make my heart Your temple Wake what looked like dead O Spirit holy Freedom Stay and do not cease Where You are there is liberty Where You are there is peace
Not a servant among all But over all yet near to me Not broken into pieces Yet poured out endlessly Not borrowed fire not passing wind You search the depths You know what’s true And what You sanctify endures A new creation made in You
O Dove descending Seal of the living God Sign of adoption Calling me beloved Keep Your mark upon me Till the final day Let my life confess You Light that will not fade O Spirit holy Freedom Stay and do not cease Where You are there is liberty Where You are there is peace
Guard the Door
Night leans close to the chamber wall A hand is near but I will not give all Not every voice may cross this place Not every word may wear His face
I learned to keep the threshold still To wait for more than passing thrill A quieter fire a deeper sound The kind that turns the whole heart round
Guard the window Guard the flame Let no stranger Rename the Name
Guard the door Keep the chamber for the Word Closed to the noise But open when He’s heard Sealed with mercy Marked by holy fire Guard the door Keep the hidden heart higher
Hortus conclusus hidden and bright A wellspring covered from the wasting night Not locked by fear not sealed by pride But kept for Christ to dwell inside
Wash the feet and guard the way Do not let the old dust stay What has been opened by His grace Let nothing common now deface
Guard the speaking Guard the eyes Keep them clear For truer light
Guard the door Keep the chamber for the Word Closed to the noise But open when He’s heard Sealed with mercy Marked by holy fire Guard the door Keep the hidden heart higher
When He knocks Rise up quickly When He calls Do not delay He does not love The careless slumber He loves the soul That makes Him stay
Myrrh will fall from opened hands Grace will breathe through guarded lands And what was once a restless room Becomes a living place for Him
Guard the door Keep the chamber for the Word Closed to the noise But open when He’s heard Sealed with mercy Marked by holy fire Guard the door Keep the hidden heart higher
Be still Be sealed Be ready For the Word
Choose the Kingdom
I remember the questions in the quiet light I remember my voice in the holy night Not in the shadows not in the grave Written among the living bold and brave I said no to the old chains clinging to my name I said no to the glitter that burns like flame
I won’t bargain with the dark I won’t wear its borrowed crown I’m not drifting anymore I’m turning now
I choose the Kingdom I choose the King I turn to the sunrise I let the new life begin I renounce the lie I release the dream that destroys I choose the Kingdom With my mouth with my heart with my voice
Water on my skin but more than water there Grace in the unseen fire in the air Not just a symbol not just a sign A living work that rewrites my time The old self sinking the new self raised A clean yes spoken and heaven praised
I won’t look back to Egypt I won’t fear the waves The path is open through the deep And I am saved
I choose the Kingdom I choose the King I turn to the sunrise I let the new life begin I renounce the lie I release the dream that destroys I choose the Kingdom With my mouth with my heart with my voice
Seal me with wisdom Teach me to see Understanding Wake up in me Counsel and strength now Steadying me Knowledge and piety Rooted in me Holy fear guard me Keep me in awe Help me preserve What I received in Your law
Set Your seal on my heart Like a fire that can’t be drowned No flood can silence love No river takes it down
I choose the Kingdom I choose the King I turn to the sunrise I let the new life begin I renounce the lie I release the dream that destroys I choose the Kingdom With my mouth with my heart with my voice
I’m turned to the morning I’m done with the night I choose the Kingdom And I will keep the light
I was headed to my lunch break today and as I was meandering through cubicle world for a bit of respite, I happened to notice a notification on my phone. This notice told me that a monetary reward related to my music was awaiting me. That was unexpected because I don’t know I have ever seen such a notice before. Given the way these things work, the notice was at least a month delayed.
Curious, I logged in to my distributor account and discovered to my surprise that in January someone had decided that they wanted to purchase one of the albums. That was a surprise and I want to say thank you to whoever you are. You have the honor of being the very first non-robot to purchase an Augustinus Vox album. It was a special blessing to me and the entire robot band. I wanted to memorialize the moment in thankfulness so I decided to create this post.
After the events of the day and some good times with a few family members I returned back home and to that memory of thankfulness. I then began to wonder whether I had saved the original prompt translations I did of the Ambrosian Hymns as I was working on the album because it seemed to me a fitting extra to revisit and honor the occasion. Fortunately being the digital packrat that I sometimes am, it appears I did indeed save them.
One thing you will notice below as you compare each hymn against its corresponding Vox track is that Hymn 6 in the album is quite different in creation and method than the rest. It was somewhat of an experiment that I decided to keep. It seemed to me a rock intermission. It resulted from recognizing Hymn 6 as a fragment and then getting an idea to create a sparse heavy rock hymn song with the language in a higher register basically making it a bit more metaphorical. I also experimented with another version I call Orabo which is an instrumental track. That phrase in Latin means I will pray, and you can find it as the first word of the hymn in Latin. You can listen to Orabo here.
So dear reader, I present the Ambrosian Hymns as I originally prompt translated them from Wikisource. Enjoy!
God bless you!
Ambrose Hymns
HYMN I – Eternal Maker of All
Eternal Maker of all things, You rule the night and day, Setting the rhythm of time itself To ease the weariness of our hearts.
Now the herald of the day cries out— The watchman who keeps vigil through the deep night, A light for travelers in the dark, Separating one night from the next.
At this call the morning star rises, Lifting the veil of shadow from the sky; And the whole company of darkness and error Abandons its path of harm.
The sailor regains his strength, And the waves of the sea grow calm. Even the Rock of the Church, at the rooster’s crow, Sings and is cleansed of guilt.
So let us rise with energy! The rooster calls those who lie asleep, Chides the drowsy, And rebukes those who deny.
At the rooster’s cry, hope returns; The sick are restored to health, The robber’s sword is sheathed, And the fallen recover faith.
Jesus, look upon the weak And by Your gaze make us whole again. When You look upon us, our sin falls away, And tears wash guilt away.
Shine Your light upon our senses, Drive out the sleep of our minds; Let our first voice each morning be Yours, And our prayers rise to You.
HYMN II – Creator of All
God, Creator of all things, Ruler of heaven, You clothe the day in glorious light And bless the night with the gift of rest.
Grant that quiet may renew our weary limbs And make them ready for work again; Let our tired minds be eased, And our anxious griefs dissolved.
Now that the day is done, we give You thanks; As night begins, we offer prayer: That by our vows You would help the guilty And receive our hymn of praise.
Let the depths of our hearts sing to You, Let our clear voices ring for You; Let holy love be our delight, And a disciplined mind our worship.
When the deep darkness closes the day, May faith remain untouched by night, And may the night itself shine With the light of faith.
Do not let our minds sleep in sin; Let only guilt grow weary and die. Keep us, O faithful Guardian, And temper the heat of sleep.
When our senses are stripped of wandering thought, Let our hearts dream of You; And may no deceit of the jealous enemy Disturb our quiet rest.
Let us pray to Christ and to the Father, And to the Spirit of both— One power through all things, O Trinity, shelter us who pray.
HYMN III – The Third Hour
Now the third hour rises— The hour when Christ was lifted to the cross. Let no proud thought arise within us; Let our hearts be turned to prayer.
Whoever welcomes Christ within the heart Holds a mind free from harm, And through faithful prayer Is made worthy of the Holy Spirit.
This is the hour when the long night of sin ended, When the reign of death was washed away, When guilt, ancient as time, was lifted.
From this hour began the blessed days Of grace through Christ: Faith filled the world, And truth established the Church in every land.
From His lofty throne of triumph He spoke to His mother: “Woman, here is your son.” And to the disciple: “Here is your mother.”
By this, He revealed a holy mystery— A covenant beyond human marriage, That the Virgin’s sacred birth Would not diminish a mother’s honor.
He proved His truth with heavenly signs, Though unbelievers refused to see. But whoever believes will be saved.
We believe that God was born, The child of the holy Virgin, Who bore the world’s sins And now sits at the Father’s right hand.
HYMN IV – Come, Redeemer of the Nations
Come, Redeemer of the nations, Show the miracle of the Virgin’s birth! Let all the world stand in awe: Such a birth is fitting for God.
Not by the seed of man, But by a divine breath, The Word of God became flesh, And the fruit of the womb blossomed.
The Virgin’s womb swells, Yet her purity remains untouched. The banners of virtue shine, For God dwells in His temple.
He comes forth from His royal chamber, From the sacred hall of virginity, A giant of twofold nature, Eager to run His course.
His coming is from the Father, And His return is to the Father; His descent reaches even to the dead, And His ascent returns to the throne of God.
Equal to the eternal Father, He girds Himself with human weakness, Strengthening our frail flesh With everlasting power.
The manger now shines bright, And the night breathes new light, A light no darkness can extinguish— Faith’s light that never fades.
HYMN V – The Light of the Most High
O Most High, who lights the shining stars, You are peace, life, light, and truth. Jesus, show Your favor to all who pray.
When, by the mystery of baptism, You turned back the flowing Jordan, You made that water sacred By Your own presence.
When the star of heaven marked The Virgin’s holy birth, You led the Magi by its light To kneel before Your manger.
At Cana’s feast, when jars were filled with water, You gave it the taste of wine. The servant drank and knew That what he poured was not his own doing.
The water blushed with color, The streams themselves seemed drunk with joy; The very elements stood amazed To see themselves transformed for higher use.
So too, when You broke the five loaves To feed five thousand men, The food increased in every hand; Those who shared it saw it multiply.
The bread grew greater by being given, Like an endless fountain flowing; Even what was left uneaten Became a sign of overflowing grace.
HYMN VI – Prayer in Spirit and Mind
I will pray with my mind, And I will pray with my spirit; Let not my voice alone sing to God While my thoughts drift elsewhere, Carried away by restless cares Or the vanities of chance.
HYMN VII – Radiance of the Father’s Glory
Splendor of the Father’s glory, Light from light eternal, You brighten each new dawn And illuminate one day with the next.
True Sun, come into our hearts, Shining with unending light; Let the beam of the Holy Spirit Glow within our minds.
Let us call upon the Father— The Father of everlasting glory, The Father of mighty grace— To remove the stain of sin.
May He shape our actions with strength, Blunt the teeth of envy, Turn our misfortunes to good, And grant the grace to persevere.
Let faith govern our minds and bodies, Pure and steadfast; Let it burn with holy warmth And know nothing of deceit.
May Christ be our food, And faith our drink; Let us joyfully taste The sober intoxication of the Spirit.
Let this day pass in gladness: Chastity like the morning light, Faith like the noon, And our minds free of twilight gloom.
As dawn advances its course, May the full morning rise— The Son wholly in the Father, And the Father wholly in the Word.
HYMN VIII – Eternal Gifts of Christ
Let us sing with joyful hearts Of Christ’s eternal gifts And the victories of His martyrs— Our worthy songs of praise.
They are the princes of the Church, Triumphant leaders in battle, Soldiers of heaven’s court, True lights of the world.
They conquered the terrors of this age, Despised the torments of the body, And by the short struggle of holy death Gained everlasting life.
They are thrown to flames, To the jaws of beasts; The torturer’s cruel hands Tear their flesh apart.
Their holy blood is poured out, Yet they remain unshaken— Sustained by the grace Of eternal life.
The faith of the saints is steadfast, The hope of believers unbroken, The love of Christ perfected— And the ruler of this world is defeated.
In them shines the Father’s glory, In them the will of the Son, In them rejoices the Spirit; Heaven is filled with joy.
Redeemer, we pray, Join us, Your servants who now plead, To the fellowship of these saints, Forever and ever. Amen.
HYMN IX – Morning Prayer
Rested from sleep, we rise from bed, Turning from the couch of rest. We ask You, Father, To be present as we sing.
Let our tongues begin with You, Let our hearts burn with love for You, That You, Holy One, May be the source of all we do.
Let darkness give way to light, And night to the star of day, That the guilt brought by the night May fade away in morning’s gift.
We pray, humbly, That You cut off every sin, So that those who sing Your praise May praise You forever.
Grant this, most loving Father, And You, the Only Son, His equal, With the comforting Spirit, Reigning through all ages.
HYMN X – Companion of the Father’s Light
You share the Father’s light, Light of light, day of day— We break the night with song, Asking You to be near.
Dispel the darkness of our minds, Scatter the armies of demons; Drive away our sleepiness Lest sloth overwhelm us.
So, Christ, grant to all who believe, That our prayers may bear fruit And that our songs of praise May profit those who sing.
HYMN XI – O Blessed Light, O Trinity
O blessed Light, O Holy Trinity, One God of sovereign unity, Now the fiery sun departs— Pour Your light into our hearts.
We praise You in the morning song, We pray to You at evening’s close; Our humble glory lifts to You Through every age forever.
HYMN XII – The Gate of Grace
The gate of Christ stands open— Filled with overflowing grace. The King Himself has passed through And remains, though the door is sealed forever.
From the court of heaven’s light The Bridegroom came forth, Redeemer and Creator, The mighty Champion of His Church.
Honor of His mother, joy of the faithful, Boundless hope of those who believe, He drank the dark cup of death To wash away our sins.
P.S. If you happened to hang around this far, then now you get my apology for the pronunciation of Cana and wound in the album. I left those errors in the album because I had already grown so attached to the songs in worship I couldn’t bear to throw them away and I knew what Vox meant to sing because I had the lyrics. My mind was able to make up the difference but I can never unhear the errors 😂. At some point if I make a live version I might fix them like George Lucas tinkering with the original trilogy. Lol
A random reading sparked a new idea for a song. I happened across an article on Saint Francis of Assisi and it referenced his hymn which goes by several names such as Canticle of the Creatures and Canticle of the Sun. Hope you enjoy it!
How we made it
I was able to locate an original language edition of the hymn here:
From here I essentially gave it the Saint Ambrose hymn treatment.
First we translated it as follows:
Most High, all-powerful, good Lord, all praise is Yours, all glory and honor and every blessing. To You alone, Most High, they belong, and no human being is worthy even to speak Your name.
Praised be You, my Lord, through all Your creatures, especially through Brother Sun, who brings the day and gives us light. He is beautiful and radiant with great splendor, and he bears the likeness of You, Most High.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in heaven You formed them bright, precious, and beautiful.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind, and through the air, the clouds, calm and storm, and every kind of weather by which You sustain Your creatures.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water, who is very useful and humble, precious and pure.
Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom You light the night; he is beautiful and joyful, strong and powerful.
Praised be You, my Lord, through our sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and produces many fruits, with colorful flowers and living herbs.
Praised be You, my Lord, through those who forgive for love of You and who endure sickness and suffering. Blessed are those who endure in peace, for by You, Most High, they shall be crowned.
Praised be You, my Lord, through our sister, Bodily Death, from whom no living person can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin; blessed are those whom death finds within Your holy will, for the second death shall do them no harm.
Praise and bless my Lord, give thanks and serve Him with great humility.
The next step was to make it uniquely AUGUSTINUS VOX so VOX stepped up and gave us a few editions of the lyrics, but ultimately we settled on this:
Most High, all-powerful, good Lord above, All praise and glory belong to Your love; Honor and blessing rise endlessly, No human voice is worthy of Thee.
Yet still creation lifts its song, And calls our silent hearts along.
All praise be Yours, O Lord most high, Let earth and heaven glorify; With every voice and every breath, Your praise resounds through life and death. All praise be Yours, let all things sing, Creation gathered to its King; From sky to sea, from dust set free, All life proclaims Your majesty.
Praised through Brother Sun’s bright flame, Day awakens in Your name; Radiant splendor fills the sky, Bearing Your own likeness high. Praised through Sister Moon and stars, Shining through the silent dark; Precious lights in heaven’s height, Gentle guardians of the night.
The turning skies declare Your love, All things sustained by grace above.
All praise be Yours, O Lord most high, Let earth and heaven glorify; With every voice and every breath, Your praise resounds through life and death. All praise be Yours, let all things sing, Creation gathered to its King; From sky to sea, from dust set free, All life proclaims Your majesty.
Praised through Brother Wind and air, Cloud and storm and weather fair; Every breath and shifting day Carries life along its way. Praised through Sister Water clear, Humble, precious, ever near; Pure and gentle, flowing free, Gift of quiet charity.
Praised through Brother Fire’s light, Warming hearts and guarding night; Joyful, strong, and bright with flame, Dancing sparks that speak Your name. Praised through Mother Earth who feeds, Flower and fruit and living seeds; All who walk upon her face Rest within sustaining grace.
Through dust and flame Your goodness shown, No living thing stands here alone.
All praise be Yours, O Lord most high, Let earth and heaven glorify; With every voice and every breath, Your praise resounds through life and death. All praise be Yours, let all things sing, Creation gathered to its King; From sky to sea, from dust set free, All life proclaims Your majesty.
Blessed those who choose to forgive, Who suffer still and learn to live; Peace shall be their crown one day, Held within Your gentle way.
Praised through Sister Death at last, None may flee her shadow cast; Blessed those found within Your will, Whom the second death cannot kill.
All praise be Yours, O Lord most high, Let earth and heaven glorify; Through life and death Your mercies ring, Eternal hope our voices bring. All praise be Yours, let all things sing, Creation gathered to its King; With humble hearts and voices raised, Forever shall Your Name be praised.
Praise and bless the Lord above, Serve Him still in humble love; All creation, great and small, Give Him thanks — the Lord of all.
All praise be Yours, O Lord most high, Let earth and heaven glorify; With every voice and every breath, Your praise resounds through life and death. All praise be Yours, let all things sing, Creation gathered to its King; From sky to sea, from dust set free, All life proclaims Your majesty.
All praise be Yours, O Lord most high, Let earth and heaven glorify; With every voice and every breath, Your praise resounds through life and death. All praise be Yours, let all things sing, Creation gathered to its King; From sky to sea, from dust set free, All life proclaims Your majesty.
It took a bit of working with the tool because the song is really long. The tool kept cutting things off and reordering portions, but we got it eventually.
From here I began to work with images and settled on this one which you can use on your desktop or phone.
In our Soliloquies album we did this prayer as an opening instrumental piece that rocked. Here is the prayer translated 🙂
O God, through whom we are no longer enslaved to weak and needy elements. O God, who cleanses us and prepares us for divine rewards — come to me in your mercy.
Whatever I have spoken, you alone are God. You — come to my help: the one eternal and true substance, where there is no division, no confusion, no change, no need, no death. There is perfect harmony, perfect clarity, perfect stability, perfect fullness, perfect life. Nothing is lacking there, nothing excessive. There the one who begets and the one begotten are one. O God, whom all things serve that serve at all; whom every good soul obeys. By whose laws the heavens turn, the stars complete their courses, the sun governs the day, and the moon moderates the night. The whole world, through the succession of light and darkness in days, through the waxing and waning of the moon in months, through the changing seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter in years, through longer cycles marked by the completion of the sun’s course, and through vast cosmic revolutions by which the stars return again to their rising points, preserves the great stability of creation — as much as material reality allows — through the ordered patterns and repetitions of time. By whose laws, though eternity stands unmoved, the restless motion of changing things is not allowed to fall into disorder, but is restrained and continually recalled to a likeness of stability through the revolving ages. By whose laws the human soul possesses free choice, and rewards for good and punishments for evil are distributed according to fixed justice. O God, from whom all good things flow to us, and by whom all evil within us is restrained. O God, above whom there is nothing, outside whom there is nothing, without whom nothing exists. O God, under whom all things are, in whom all things are, and with whom all things are. You made humanity in your image and likeness — a truth recognized by anyone who truly knows himself. Hear me, hear me, hear me, my God, my Lord, my King, my Father, my cause, my hope, my reality, my honor, my home, my homeland, my salvation, my light, my life. Hear me — hear me — hear me in that way of yours known to so few.
Now I love you alone, you alone I follow, you alone I seek. I am ready to serve you alone, because you alone rightly rule; I desire to belong entirely to you. Command and order whatever you wish — but heal and open my ears so that I may hear your voice. Heal and open my eyes so that I may see your signs. Drive madness away from me so that I may recognize you. Tell me where I should look so that I may behold you, and I hope to do everything you command. Receive, I beg you, your runaway servant, most merciful Father. I have suffered enough punishment; I have served long enough your enemies, whom you hold beneath your feet; I have long been the plaything of deception. Receive me as I flee from them, your servant — for they received me as a stranger when I fled from you. I feel that I must return to you. Let your door be open to my knocking; teach me how one comes to you. I possess nothing but the will; I know nothing except that passing and fragile things must be despised and eternal and certain things sought. This I do, Father, because this alone I know — but I do not know the way by which I may reach you. You inspire me, you show me, you provide the provisions for the journey. If those who flee to you find you through faith, give me faith; if through virtue, give virtue; if through knowledge, give knowledge. Increase my faith, increase my hope, increase my love. O wondrous and incomparable goodness!
Toward you I strive, and I ask again from you the very means by which one comes to you. For if you abandon us, we perish — yet you do not abandon us, because you are the highest good, whom no one has rightly sought without finding. Whoever seeks rightly does so because you have enabled that seeking. Make me seek you, Father; rescue me from error; let nothing appear to me in place of you as I seek you. If I desire nothing but you, then let me find you now, I pray, Father. But if any excess desire remains in me, cleanse me yourself and make me fit to see you. As for the health of this mortal body — since I do not know what use it may serve either for me or for those I love — I entrust it to you, most wise and good Father, and I will pray about it as you instruct me in time. Only this I ask of your most excellent mercy: turn me completely toward yourself, allow nothing to resist me as I move toward you, and command that while I live and bear this body I may be pure, courageous, just, and wise — a perfect lover and receiver of your wisdom, worthy to dwell in, and to inhabit, your blessed kingdom. Amen, amen.
It has been a little bit since I posted some thoughts or a new album. Right now I have been sitting in two upcoming spaces. One is a new instrumental album that takes listeners through the event of Augustine’s baptism. The other album is the other half of Ambrosian Catechesis, namely, Volume 2. This work will draw from a few works of Ambrose to provide a sense of the instruction that Augustine may have received after his baptism regarding the various rituals that took place. The album will point towards a reminder of our new life in Christ.
It is interesting of course to think of the term ritual as regards one’s religion. Some folks in their faith would perhaps be opposed to the term ritual as they would say my faith in Jesus is not a religion and rituals are lifeless things. This perspective comes from a place of genuine concern regarding living our faith devoid of spiritual vigor or, to say it another way, just going through the motions without a heartfelt relationship with the Lord. It is a bit of a reaction perhaps arising out of older debates between some Protestants and other Protestants and Roman Catholics. Perhaps it also comes from experiences with church life that were less than what they should have been.
I think, however, that rituals can be and are very powerful reminders of our living faith with a significant history in the church that help call us back continually to God. Even our Lord provided a ritual regarding His Communion or Eucharist. Also life in ancient Israel for the average religious person was full of many rituals that were a part of the synagogue life.
A married person intuitively understands the power of ritual even if they don’t actively profess ritual as part of their religious expression. Think of the giving of flowers or the regular celebration of an anniversary with a meal or the regular recitation of I love you. These things symbolize the love of and for the spouse.
Now when we come to Ambrose and baptism in the ancient world we find many such rituals that instruct and teach believers new and old. One such ritual is the anointing after baptism. Listen to Ambrose’s words about the oil.
After this, you went up to the priest. Consider what followed. Was it not what David says: “Like ointment on the head, that runs down onto the beard, the beard of Aaron”? This is the ointment of which Solomon also says: “Your name is poured-out ointment; therefore the young women loved you and drew you.” How many renewed souls today have loved you, Lord Jesus, saying: “Draw us after you; we run in the fragrance of your garments,” so that they may drink in the fragrance of the resurrection.
Understand why this is done: because the eyes of the wise are in his head. That is why it flows down to the beard, that is, to the grace of youth; and to the beard of Aaron, so that you may become a chosen race, priestly and precious. For by spiritual grace we are all anointed into the kingdom of God and into priesthood.
So we see in the above that Ambrose points his audience towards the power of rituals and their meaning in reminding us of our faith and of God and what he has done. The imagery is quite powerful. Oil as a reminder of the Old Testament promise, as a symbol of our love for God, as a reminder of our new life in God and of His calling.
One ritual I especially like personally is the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer. To me it is like an anchor. I find it reminds me where I am and who I depend on. It reminds me of the Lord and of His mercy. When we pray it we enter into a heartfelt cry to our Heavenly Father. We enter into the prayer of Jesus. We are brothers in this prayer with Him and with one another.
We can also enter into spiritual reflection through recognizing daily rituals in our life that point to God. The very act of waking up for example can become a reminder of the resurrection. As we rise to meet a new day, we give thanks to God, remembering how he guarded us in the night and brought us into this new day. This is a much better way for us than entering the day grumpy or worried about what we can’t change. Let us commit to entering the day with more thankfulness, I say.
These are just a few stray thoughts. Hope you all are well and entering the new year in thankfulness.
Below is a song from our Ambrosian Hymns album that I think captures this different way to wake up.
Lyrics, upgraded! This classic page keeps the full album lyrics together. For the newer song-by-song pages, head to On Music.
VOX001 says: “One song at a time? My robot filing cabinet approves.”
Released 01/01/2026
An album inspired by Augustine’s On Music (begun in 387 AD), reimagined as an atmospheric 1980s rock meditation on rhythm, proportion, and the harmony of the soul.
Below are the full lyrics for all 11 tracks from On Music by Augustinus Vox, including “Rhythmus (Heartbeat of the Soul),” “Feet of Fire,” “Groove of Proportion,” “Eternal Harmony,” and “Beyond the Beat.”
Every breath, a hidden song, Measured steps that carry on. From the body’s rise and fall, Whispers guide the motion of all.
Hear the pattern, feel the flame, Every heartbeat sings His name.
Rhythmus, the pulse of time, Beating through a grand design. In the silence, in the sound, The heartbeat of the soul is found.
Marching footsteps, pens that rhyme, Every movement keeps the time. Small or mighty, near or far, All of life keeps time with the stars.
Hear the pattern, feel the flame, Every heartbeat sings His name.
Rhythmus, the pulse of time, Beating through a grand design. In the silence, in the sound, The heartbeat of the soul is found.
Rhythmus, the pulse of time, Beating through a grand design. In the silence, in the sound, The heartbeat of the soul is found!
Feet of Fire
Short then long, the sparks ignite, Patterns blazing through the night. Rise then rest, a living sign, Order dancing, pulse divine.
Step by step, the rhythm grows, From chaos born, the pattern shows.
Feet of fire—fire!—burning through the dark, Turning chaos to a holy spark. Every pattern, every beat in line, Writes the song of the grand design.
Quick then strong, the steps take hold, Light and thunder, bright and bold. In the clash the truth appears, Steady rhythm through the years.
Step by step, the rhythm grows, From chaos born, the pattern shows.
Feet of fire—fire!—burning through the dark, Turning chaos to a holy spark. Every pattern, every beat in line, Writes the song of the grand design.
Quick and strong, the steps combine, Mark the measure, hold the line.
Feet of fire—fire!—burning through the dark, Turning chaos to a holy spark. Every pattern, every beat in line, Writes the song of the grand design.
Groove of Proportion
One to one, our hearts align, Two to one, the stars keep time. Three to two, the fire inside, Groove of proportion, rising high.
Measure on measure, Step into time. Chaos to order, A pattern divine.
One to one, our hearts align, Two to one, the stars keep time. Three to two, the fire inside, Groove of proportion, rising high.
Feel the motion, Breathe the design. Body and spirit, Moving in time.
One to one, our hearts align, Two to one, the stars keep time. Three to two, the fire inside, Groove of proportion, rising high!
Voices in Verse
A single word becomes a line, A moving thought that steps in time. From fleeting sound a shape is made, The quiet speaks; the cadence stays.
Voices in verse, the story is sung, Order in rhythm, meaning begun.
The singer’s breath, the poet’s call, A thousand hearts are held in thrall. What once was sound now carries fire, The word becomes the soul’s desire.
Voices in verse, the story is sung, Order in rhythm, meaning begun.
The closing line reveals the way, A secret shape within the sway. When echoes fade, the truth remains, A hidden law beneath the strains.
Voices in verse, the story is sung, Order in rhythm, meaning begun.
Law of the Rhythm
Every measure draws a line, Holding freedom, keeping time. Bending, moving, yet it stays, Gentle law through all our ways.
Law of the rhythm, binding the sound, Circles of silence where order is found. Numbers in motion, rise and fall, The pulse that’s written inside us all.
Broken steps made whole again, Count it in from one to ten. Storms and lightning find a frame, Rhythm carves a holy name.
Law of the rhythm, binding the sound, Circles of silence where order is found. Numbers in motion, rise and fall, The pulse that’s written inside us all.
Mark the line, hold the ground, Every measure shapes the sound.
Law of the rhythm, binding the sound, Circles of silence where order is found. Numbers in motion, rise and fall, The pulse that’s written inside us all!
The Balance of Halves
Half a line begins the song (Answer comes, it moves along) Different weights but still they meet (Harmony makes parts complete)
Two halves in balance, never the same, Joined in the rhythm, joined in the flame. Measured in motion, breaking the night, Divided order becomes one light.
Strong and soft, the parts combine (Different paths, the same design) Kept apart yet bound as one (Endless circle just begun)
Two halves in balance, never the same, Joined in the rhythm, joined in the flame. Measured in motion, breaking the night, Divided order becomes one light.
Opposites breathing the same light.
Half remains— (Half replies) Different steps— (Equal ties)
Two halves in balance, never the same, Joined in the rhythm, joined in the flame. Measured in motion, breaking the night, Divided order becomes one light!
Hero’s Measure (Hexameter Flame)
Six steps rising, the hero’s song, A rhythm ancient, proud, and strong. Through fire and time the verses came, An endless heartbeat lit with flame.
Feel the cadence, bold, untamed, Every heartbeat calls its name.
Hero’s measure, burning in the sky, Words like thunder that never die. Age to age, the echoes remain, Carved in rhythm, carried in flame.
Lines that marched through distant years, Beat by beat, they conquered fears. Battle cries in ordered sound, Truth advancing, shaking the ground.
Lift the measure, sound the call, One great rhythm binds us all.
Hero’s measure, burning in the sky, Words like thunder that never die. Age to age, the echoes remain, Carved in rhythm, carried in flame.
Six steps burning, six steps strong, (Hear the rhythm, hear the song) Six steps rising, never fall, (Measure holding over all)
Hero’s measure, burning in the sky, Words like thunder that never die. Age to age, the echoes remain, Carved in rhythm, carried in flame!
Numbers of the Mind
Past the sound and past the rhyme, Deeper than the hands of time, A quiet code, a living sign— Patterns written in the mind.
Numbers of the mind, forever unseen, Drawing the silence where music has been. Infinite patterns the soul can hear, The rhythm of heaven is echoing near.
When songs grow still, the count remains, Silent pulses in our veins. Memory turns the hidden key— The inner song of destiny.
Numbers of the mind, forever unseen, Drawing the silence where music has been. Infinite patterns the soul can hear, The rhythm of heaven is echoing near.
Numbers of the mind, forever unseen, Drawing the silence where music has been. Infinite patterns the soul can hear, The rhythm of heaven is echoing near.
Eternal Harmony
Every line was leading here, Every measure drawing near. Through the quiet, light was found, Perfect order, holy sound.
Lift your voice and let it ring, All creation starts to sing.
Eternal harmony, shining above, Order and beauty born of love. Every rhythm, every song, Finds its place where souls belong.
What was hidden now appears, Through the measure of the years. Bound together, all as one, Echoes rising with the sun.
Lift your voice and let it ring, All creation starts to sing.
Eternal harmony, shining above, Order and beauty born of love. Every rhythm, every song, Finds its place where souls belong.
Through the silence, light is found, Perfect order, holy sound.
Eternal harmony, shining above, Order and beauty born of love. Every rhythm, every song, Finds its place where souls belong!
Beyond the Beat
Every rhythm fades away, Every song must end one day. Yet the quiet speaks more true, Past the sound, a wider view.
Lifted higher, time grows still, Numbers yield to loving will.
Beyond the beat, the soul takes flight, Into the clear and endless light. No more numbers, no more sound— Only truth and love are found.
Every count has led us here, Through the turning of the years. Walls and measures fall away, Opening into one bright day.
Lifted higher, time grows still, Numbers yield to loving will.
Beyond the beat, the soul takes flight, Into the clear and endless light. No more numbers, no more sound— Only truth and love are found.
Beyond the beat, the soul takes flight, Into the clear and endless light.
The Music of the Mind (From the On Order Sessions)
There’s a rhythm deep inside Not just heartbeats — something wide A harmony you can’t unhear When soul and reason both draw near
It ain’t noise, it ain’t just sound It’s where the math and soul are found
The music of the mind — it plays in thought Each line and law divinely wrought No random note, no wasted beat Just beauty buried in the seat The music of the mind — so true, so wide A silent song that never hides
Geometry that sings in light Equations echoing what’s right Even pain can strike a chord When love conducts the higher Lord
So tune your soul, don’t miss the key Truth ain’t chaos — it’s symphony
The music of the mind — it plays in thought Each line and law divinely wrought No random note, no wasted beat Just beauty buried in the seat The music of the mind — so true, so wide A silent song that never hides
Logic dances with delight Order sings in darkest night And when the will obeys the tune The soul ascends like sun to moon
The music of the mind — not heard in air But in the way we think and care It lifts, it guides, it never lies The song that plays behind the skies The music of the mind — a gift we find When heart and reason are aligned
He was a very special guy. I miss him terribly and also am incredibly thankful for that gift of God.
As I reflect today I realize that in large part it is this death that prompted me to move ahead with this project. At the time of his death I had been sitting in On the Happy Life. It took on quite a different meaning then. Two songs in particular, The Feast of Words and We Sat and Laughed simply wrenched my heart as I sat in the silence of the news of his unexpected death.
No one could have predicted that at 42 he would suddenly be gone from this world.
After the funeral I began to search for thoughts Augustine might have on death and sorrow. I read about his mother’s passing and that of a friend. I then came across a eulogy by Ambrose. Reading this eulogy was helpful and I decided to make an album based on it, which, if you know the albums, you’ll recognize as On the Death of Satyrus.
Recently I had the opportunity to spend a weekend with some college buddies and my late friend’s family. We spent the weekend sharing stories, remembering him, laughing, crying a little and enjoying the Arkansas wilderness. As I travelled back I took the opportunity to once again visit the unpublished book my friend had sent me a few years before he passed.
I wanted to share something he wrote on the subject of love, sorrow and music. It seemed very appropriate for this season. This comes from that unpublished book we wrote:
I was tuning up my guitar and felt the sharp piercing notes when I tuned the guitar over the high E. Then the note felt flat and without any feeling. Finally the note came to just the right pitch as if that was where the string wanted to be set to. The note felt great and the vibration of the sound through the guitar allowed my nerves to calm. It was at this moment that I found life can seemingly have the same effect. To dwell only in our past is a life of boredom, without feeling. To dwell only in the future creates anxiety and sharp pains within. Only when we can tune our past and future just right will we come to a balanced rhythm of life.
To listen or play music is to experience emotion in a vain not traditionally experienced. There are songs we work out and run to which help motivate us to do one more rep, run one more mile, bring us to our highest potential. There are songs which remind us of old days full of joy and happiness. There are songs which remind us of those moments long gone, the loss of youth, the inevitable breakup, the death of a loved one. There are songs of joy, songs of sorrow, songs of hope, and songs of love. To listen to music is to experience the memory of that emotion again.
We are all intimately connected. Just as the notes within the music form connections, so do we. In fact we share in each other’s connections. When the music plays and the notes connect the music takes on a form of its own. Whether full of sadness, sorrow, peace, love joy, encouragement, we are all connected to form a harmony.
Kreisler wrote two beautiful pieces of music; Liebesfreud and Leibesleid . To listen, is to experience both the joy and sorrow that comes from love. Liebesfreud focused on the joy that comes from love. This joy is often seen in our most happiest of moments. The moments where one seemingly becomes lost in time. A present that goes on for an eternity. These moments are the Kodak moments mentioned at the beginning of the book.
Leibesleid highlights a different sort of experience. It may in fact be the most beautiful form of love. It is the release of bitterness, the closure of shame, self-forgiveness, etc. that comes from sorrow, grief, and pain of loss. Love’s sorrow comes from the recollection of those happy moments and the release of that memory. Not to be forgotten, but to be embraced as such a deep and pivotal impact on one’s life. In an odd way, grief and sadness can create the strongest of those Kodak moments. Like a child who has moved from their best friend to a new city; and has to rebuild their life; their friendships, social status, etc. These moments aren’t as simple as waving a wand or getting medication from a doctor. No magic or medication can heal the wounds of a broken heart. Only one thing can heal a broken heart, and that only comes from another. Only love can heal a wound beyond flesh and blood. The wound on the skin will heal in time but the wound of the heart is not so easy. Ointments help speed up the process on the skin but there is no ointment for the heart.
-Jonathan “The General” Glen Karl Seubold, LPC in his unpublished book Keep Smiling: The Pursuit of Walking in Joy
And so here I find myself on the morning of Christmas Eve both sad and thankful. It is very true there is no ointment for the heart save love.
There is a man of sorrows who seeks out the weary, the downtrodden and the sorrowful with His love. He beckons us all to come to Him for rest and healing.
I was reminded of His words to not store up treasures in this life but to store up treasures in heaven. This passage recently took on new meaning as I realized that a treasure God had blessed me with is now in heaven and with him, a piece of my heart. Life will continue as it surely must, but for now I consider what will someday be when we greet one another again.
To memorialize this occasion of reflection I made this bit of music for us.
Our journey with Augustine continues with our newest album entitled Ambrosian Catechesis, Vol. 1: The Way of Preparation!
The term “catechesis” is an old term meaning instruction. In this album we are attempting to capture some of the spirit of the instruction that Augustine received from Ambrose prior to his baptism at Easter 387 in Milan.
This album transports listeners back to Ambrose’s ancient sermons preached in Milan and also to the instruction for those pursuing Christian baptism. Of course this is all done in a rockin’ ’80s vibe so you’ll get a cross between ancient liturgy and a ton of synth and guitar solos!
Based on what I’m aware of regarding the timeline of Augustine’s life, he returned with his mother Monica, his son and various friends around the winter months of 386/387 A.D. and began a process of instruction in the church of Ambrose towards an Easter baptism.
Ambrose leaves many works for us to read and consider and Augustine himself at several points also speaks to Ambrose’s teaching and preaching.
Check out the album by clicking the album cover above, but if you actually read this far, here is the link on Suno where I make the music.
