Introducing ''The Welcome Wagon''

Photo from Asthmatic Kitty's website

The picture above shows Vito Aiuto and his wife Monique, also known as ''The Welcome Wagon.'' I have previously written about Vito Aiuto and Sufjan Stevens in a post called Vito's Ordination Song - A Masterpiece by Sufjan Stevens.

I love The Welcome Wagon's music. Although I'm not big on labels when it comes to music, I would say it's some kind of (christian) indie folk. I enjoy their heartfelt and unconventionnal lyrics, as well as their diverse and original melodies. They use a wide array of instruments in in their songs, and sometimes have a choir singing with them.

I discovered their band while searching for Sufjan-related music on the internet. Indeed, their first album, Welcome to the Welcome Wagon, was produced by Sufjan Stevens and his record label, Asthmatic Kitty. Here are some songs I love from that album, as well as some lyrics.

But For You Who Fear My Name
You shall be my very own / on the day that I / cause you to be my special home. / I shall spare you as a man / has compassion on his son / who does the best he can.

Up On A Mountain
Up in the heavens our Lord prays for you / He sent his spirit to carry us through / So it's true that you're not alone. / Do you know He came all the way down?

I Am A Stranger
Tis' seldom I can never see my- / Self as I would wish to be, what / I desire I can't attain, from / what I hate I can't refrain

I think what I really enjoy about The Welcome Wagon is how beautifully honest they are about faith, doubt and emotions. Sometimes life is easy, and sometimes it's hard. But whatever happens, we know that God will carry us through.

I must say I am very, very excited about The Welcome Wagon's latest album, Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices, which was released only a few days ago! I am already in love with I Know That My Redeemer Lives. You can listen to this song here.

I hope you'll enjoy listening to The Welcome Wagon as much as I do! When I first started listening to them, I didn't really like their music, but it grew on me. I love their music now!

Vito's Ordination Song - A Masterpiece by Sufjan Stevens

I wanted to post about Vito's Ordination Song, which I have been listening to recently. The song is slow, but it is very deep and significant. Take time to listen to it. I included the song and the lyrics below, as well as my reflection on the song.

Vito's Ordination Song - Sufjan Stevens

I always knew you

In yout mother's arms

I have called your name

I have an idea

Placed in your mind

To be a better man

I've made a crown for you

Put it in your room

And when the bridegroom comes

There will be noise

There will be glad

And a perfect bed

And when you write a poem

I know the words

I know the sounds

Before ou write it down

When you wear your clothes

I wear them too

I wear your shoes

And your jacket too

I always knew you

In your mother's arms

I have called you son

I've made amends

Between father and son

Or if you haven't one

Rest in my arms

Sleep in my bed

There is a design

To what I did and said.

Thomas Vito Aiuto is a friend of Sufjan Stevens', and is a reverend at Resurrection Presbyterian Church in New York. So it seems reasonable to assume that the song has to do with Vito's ordination, and can have religious undertones.

Sufjan's song reminds me of Psalm 139, which illustrates how God knows and loves us.

The psalm and the song are so beautiful and comforting. The first part of the song can be interpreted as God talking to us as a father, who has known and loved us from the beginning.     

My favourite part of the song is when Sufjan sings ''And when you write a poem / I know the words / I know the sounds /Before you write it down.'' 

I can relate these lines because I have been writing poetry since I was very young. 

Poetry is unlike any other literary genre.  Dennis Gabor, who received the 1971 Nobel Prize in Physics, once said : ''Poetry is plucking at the heartstrings, and making music with them.'' 

Poetry seems to be the purest literary expression of human emotions. It is  fragile and vulnerable because it uncovers the hidden thoughts and reflections of the human heart and mind. 

This poetry of ours--our hidden emotions, pains and ideals-- is known of God, and cherished by him. Thinking that I am so intimately known is intimidating, but it is also very thrilling and fascinating. Very humbling, but also comforting and appeasing.

The last paragraph gives a wonderful picture of God's fatherly love: 

I've made amends

Between father and son

And if you haven't one

Rest in my arms

Sleep in my bed

There is a design

To what I did and said

God offers us rest and peace.

''Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.''