Ascension & Higher Ground (2010 version)

Part I ”Ascension” composed and arranged by Sanja Markovic; text excerpts taken from Walt Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass” Part II “Higher Ground” theme composed by Dough Carn, arranged by Sanja Markovic and Nikola Matovic; lyrics by Dough Carn Sanja Markovic - vocals, keys and programming Nikola Matovic - el. bass Igor Malesevic (sampled) - drums Recorded in Zemun, 2010. ASCENSION (lyrics) A call to Mankind! “I hear you whispering there, O stars of heaven, O suns, O grass of graves, O perpetual transfers and pro- motions… …And as to you Life, (I ascend from the moon) I reckon you are the leavings of many deaths. (I ascend from the stars) No doubt I have died ten thousand times before. …And as to you Death, and you bitter hug of mortality, It is idle to try to alarm me.” How do we start ascending to our higher selves? When do we begin to really live what we know is truth? I wanna open up my eyes and really see, For the first time really see. (Loud O my throat) “Loud O my throat, and clear O soul! (I saw the day the return of heroes) "I saw the interminable corpse A pause—the armies wait A million flush'd embattled conquerors wait," (I too wait) "The world too waits, then soft as night and sure as dawn, They…” BRAKE! ("They melt, they disappear.") HIGHER GROUND Higher ground. We've got to find us a better way of living now! Higher ground. The time is ripe to the Creator we must learn to bow! (turn to now) Higher ground. Let us reflect and collect all our resources now. Lord plant our feet on higher ground! Our souls were lost, but now they're found, moving on to Higher ground, Let us resolve to build a righteous nation…and be departed. Lets keep our home under the dome. Safe and sound on Higher ground. Unified man as one we stand together! (Al-hamdu lillahi!) (I'm up climbing to) Higher ground. We've got to find us a better way of living now! Higher ground. The time is ripe to the Creator we must learn to bow! (turn to now) Higher ground. Let us reflect and collect all our resources now. Lord plant our feet on higher ground!