I happened to be listening to this wonderful song by Andrew Bird today, and decide to try to figure out what it may be about. I discovered that the song was inspired by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill that happened in 2010. Here is a link to the interview where Andrew Bird revealed his inspiration.
When I learned this, and thought about his lyrics conveying the sound of “all God’s creatures…roaring again” due to another unfortunate act of man, something that Paul of Tarsus wrote nearly two millennia ago came to mind. I believe that what he wrote in his letter to the first generation of Christian “saints” in Rome, demonstrates that ancient scripture does speak across time, with the concerns of the transcendent Creator.
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. (The English Standard Version of Romans 8:18-22)
Paul’s own knowledge of the groaning of creation was undoubtedly informed by several of the Hebrew prophets. Thus in Jeremiah 12:4 we read of the calamities that follow when man believes he does not need to answer to the transcendent Creator for his irresponsible actions upon the earth.
How long will the land mourn
and the grass of every field wither?
For the evil of those who dwell in it
the beasts and the birds are swept away,
because they said, “He will not see our latter end.”
While some calamities are true accidents, others could be prevented. Either way, it is no wonder that the creation groans in travail under the acts of men, while eagerly waiting for the revelation of the sons of God.
Hole in the Ocean Floor
I woke with a start
Crying bullets, beating heart
To hear all God’s creatures
Roaring again
Not a cricket was creaking,
Or a floorboard was squeaking,
And all the world was snoring again
There’s a hole in the ocean floor
There’s a hole in the ocean floor
Gonna stop bleeding alone
I woke with a start
Crying bullets, beating heart
To hear all God’s creatures
Roaring again…
Please feel free to leave a comment!
BMC @ Manifest Propensity, 2014.
Manifest Propensity 
My son and I saw Andrew Bird perform solo just before this album came out and it was certainly one of the best concerts I have ever seen. I hope he comes back to the Egg in Albany someday or somewhere else nearby! I thought one of his best songs that night was his only “cover” song, of “Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning” by the Rev. Gary Davis! But every song he did was amazing.