Build Yourself an Ark | David Sasso
Rather than a supernatural tale of divine punishment, I read the story of the Flood as a narrative about how humans deal with catastrophe. It is not simply about whether Noah or his generation were evil or righteous; rather, it is a window into the complexities of dealing with catastrophe and loss. “Build Yourself an Ark” asks the question, what needs to be preserved in the face of modern catastrophes? What is at danger of being lost if not safeguarded? How can “Ark” be conceived of as “Archive?”
Build Yourself an Ark | David Sasso
Gather some gopher wood
And build yourself an ark,
Gather the animals
Two by two.
Take along your loved ones,
They may not all want to go.
Don’t worry about your husband,
He already knows.
You’ll have to stay inside
Till it’s safe to come out,
Can’t really tell you how long that will be.
Prayers are good for hope
But they won’t be enough,
Have faith in the truth, that’s faith in me,
Have faith in the truth, that’s faith in me.
Gather some melodies
And build yourself an ark,
Gather the poems
Two by two.
Take along your paintings
And hang them on the walls,
Keep telling your stories
While the water falls.
Gather the teachings
Of those who came before,
Build the ark with wisdom
And able hands.
Don’t let the words you use
Destroy and divide,
Words are the way it all began.
You think this is to punish you,
That’s how you wrote the tale,
Couldn’t be further from the truth.
Read into rainbows
Whatever you will,
That’s just a story from your youth,
That’s just a story from your youth.
Gather the seeds of life
And plant them again.
The fate of the earth
Is in your hands.
Take care of your neighbor,
Take care of yourself,
Take care of the water
And the land.
You’ll have to stay inside
Till it’s safe to come out,
Can’t really tell you how long that will be.
Prayers are good for hope
But they won’t be enough,
Have faith in the truth, that’s faith in me,
Have faith in the truth, that’s faith in me.