More Than a Miracle

Fall of 2008—presidential election time in the US. We were concerned about the environment and the interest in drilling for oil in Alaska. Governor Palin had filed a lawsuit against the US to declassify the polar bear from the endangered species, in order to drill. The idea was very upsetting to us.

We felt that to turn things around, it would take more than a miracle. It seemed that our environment was becoming more and more precarious with each passing day.

Just after writing the song, we began reading Thomas Friedman’s book Hot, Flat and Crowded. Totally engaged in the first chapter, we were excited to find that the content was precisely what we had just written about—the call to take action on the very issues that are so devastating to the U.S. and the world.

Music

Lyrics

Farewell to spring and fall
Good-bye to all
Those who were here before we moved in
Claiming the earth for ourselves
We will need more than a miracle
To recover, undo the harm suffered at our hands

Where are the days we knew
With creatures who
Hunted and thrived, survived in the wild
Claiming the earth as their home
But now they need more than a miracle
To endure, their very lives rest within our hands

Awed by mystery, inspired by nature
Urgently we are called together
To take our part, lend a hand, take a stand
Raise our voices

With resolve and determination
If our hearts are filled with conviction
Then everything endangered will have a place
Finding peace at last

Then maybe spring and fall
Will after all
Be those we knew, now that we’re here
To reclaim the earth . . . for us all
It will be more than a miracle

To recover, heal the harm, is within our hands

Credits

From Moment of Truth, track released March 1, 2009
Cheryl Martlage – Lyrics, vocals and production
Emerson Martlage – Music, guitar, vocals and production
Mr Toad’s San Francisco – Mastering