Lyrics: Cécile McLorin Salvant
Music: Cécile McLorin Salvant
I saw a sparrow writhing in the clutches
Of what I thought was nothing at all
After a moment, she took flight, and there beneath her
A raving praying mantis lifted her arms to the sky
Take this stone and pass it on
It alters with each handling
But it will not erode
It will not erode
Tomorrow morning, at the edge of a volcano
She′ll meet him with her arms open wide
His hands are broken, he used them to caress her
In places she could not begin to understand
Take this stone and pass it on
It alters with each handling
But it will not erode
It will not erode
Dearly beloved, you're welcome in my home now
Despite the rocky road we traveled on
I can′t imagine that you would now betray me
The love we share is boundless and heavy and sticky
Take this stone and pass it on
It alters with each handling
But it will not erode
It will not erode
Tomorrow morning, he's looking through my window
He watches as I turn in my sleep
His tongue is broken, he used it to caress me
With words that I could not begin to understand
Take this stone and pass it on
It alters with each handling
But it will not erode
It will not erode
Audio Engineer: Evan Wright
Bass: Evan Wright
Mastering Engineer: Heba Kadry
Vocals: Cécile McLorin Salvant/June McDoom/Kate Davis