#51 Nisabim  (Maqam Bayat/Nawa)

Maqam - a set of notes, with traditions that define the relationship between them, their patterns and expression.  A musical mode.  The Maqamat (plural) are patient, inwardly drawn, they are roomy enough for poetry. We worked the concept of the give-and-take between poetry and music.

We are standing today all of us big shots 

chumps children wives and sweethearts and 

the stranger within all of us before Hashem the 

Name from the hewers of wood to the carriers 

of water all of us today.

To cut a deal with You but not for us alone do 

You keep this agreement not for us who are 

here today but for those of us who are not here

today.

This deal that I set before you this day it is 

not too far from you that you should say who 

shall go for us nor is it too hard for you that you 

should say who will do this for us.

It is not in heaven and it is not hidden and it 

is not distant but right here it is in your mouth 

and in your heart it is sitting next to you on the 

bench waiting for the bus it is standing on the 

corner in front of Starbuck's watching for the 

light to change.

Close that you should do it.

Look see I have placed before you the life and 

the good the death and the not-good love the 

Name walk like G*d do the right things the 

simple things and the complex things figure out 

what you can for yourself and be wise together 

then you will multiply G*d will grow you and 

bless you.

So I call heaven and earth together to witness 

for you and against you I have placed life and 

death before you listen glue yourself to G*d for 

G*d is your life and the length of your days.

G*d promised your ancestors G*d promised 

them I swear.