For this week's post, I'm sharing a cover of "Song of the Magi" by Anaïs Mitchell
who wrote this piece in 2007. She wrote this piece in response to Israel building a wall between their territory and Palestine's. Construction on this wall began in 2002 and continues to this day. As such, this song meshes the familiar story of Jesus' birth and the visiting three magi and what those things would be like in modern times.
This cover was created by Christians living in Bethlehem in 2016. I think the song itself and the visuals provided by this particular cover speak for themselves. You can find the video and the lyrics below.
When we came
We came through the cold
We came bearing gifts of gold
And frankincense and myrrh
And there were trumpets playing
There were angels looking down
On a west bank town
And he so loved the world
[Chorus]
Wore we then our warmest capes
Wore we then our walking shoes
Open wide the city gates
And let us through
[Verse 2]
A child is born
Born in Bethlehem
Born in a cattle pen
A child is born on the killing floor
And still he no crying makes
Still as the air is he
Lying so prayerfully there
Waiting for the war
[Verse 3]
Welcome home, my child
Your home is a checkpoint now
Your home is a border town
Welcome to the brawl
And life ain't fair, my child
Put your hands in the air, my child
Slowly now, single file, now
Up against the wall
[Arabic Verse (Original to the cover)]
A child was born in the land of peace
In a country now surrounded by walls
Its homes are divided and became checkpoints
And its children are born in war and depravation
[Chorus]
Wear we now our warmest coats
Wear we now our walking shoes
Open wide the gates of hope
And let us through
[Verse 4]
When we came
We came through the cold
We came bearing gifts of gold
And frankincense and myrrh
And there were shepherds praying
There were lions laying down
With the lambs in a west bank town
And he so loved the world
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