Spirit Voices Lyrics

Lyric discussion by EatingPie 

Cover art for Spirit Voices lyrics by Paul Simon

An American Indian friend of mine speaks of the spiritual connection between all things, that all have a spirit. Humans, animals, trees, even inanimate objects, he referred to them as "my brothers." These are the Spirit Voices I hear in the song, from leaves of a banyan tree, to a falcon call, to the trickle of holy water.

The song also awakens in me a magical story from when the world was young. It starts sad, of separation and loss, all due to a single, tragic choice. What happens next sounds like a brujo's curse, recited over all: over man, over woman, and over the whole Earth itself -- for there is a shared, tangible spiritual connection between all.

Even more beautiful to me, the story continues of na forca do amanha -- healing and atonement. And we wait, tense, anxious, doubtful... but not alone! For in the story, the Earth herself -- the soil and all that spring from it -- cursed because of us, waits impatiently with us, to share our promised saving grace.

I am moved by this beautiful song, and I like to imagine it's "my brothers'" Spirit Voices whispering "se esmera, coracao e confia."

-Pie