Neither Pharaoh nor the Sea

[ In the spring of 2022, I asked a group of exceptionally talented students to join me on my annual Easter: Stories and Songs tour. The show had been on a two-year COVID-induced hiatus, and I really wanted to introduce something new as we returned to the road.

Easter: Stories and Songs consists of 10 original songs and original readings that tell the story of the days leading up to Christ’s resurrection. The students joined us and performed five songs that chronicle the events of a few days in the story of Israel—the crossing of the Red Sea to the promise of their covenant with God. The songs foreshadow in theme and melody the greater liberation we celebrate in Easter: Stories & Songs.

I was floored as the students put flesh around the words and music. They truly brought these five songs to life. These songs performed by these very students will be the next five of the 52 Songs project. Milton Chamblee designed an alternative logo for the songs to set them apart within the project. I am so excited to share them with you! ]

Exodus: Act I, Song 3 – Neither Pharaoh nor the Sea

The previous song, “The Feat of the Sea,” ends with the proclamation, “We are free. We are slaves no more.”

So, what is Israel’s first reaction to this new-found freedom? Well, it is exactly what you would expect: they celebrate!

Israel has made it to the far side of the sea. They’re free. The chains of Egyptian slavery have fallen from their wrists. Pharaoh’s oppressive commands can no longer reach their ears, nor his whip their backs. And the best part? The best part is that, after the last Israelite made it safely through, the Red Sea came crashing back down where it belongs. And in the process, it washed away the Egyptian soldiers sent to drag Israel back to Egypt, back into bondage, back to those dark and hopeless days of their past. Those days are now forever behind them.

So, the newly freed people of God celebrate. They bust out the tambourines and timbrels, and they burst out into song. They dance free and sing joyfully, proclaiming God’s victory on their behalf.

Credits

Words & Music: Bill Wolf
Produced: Kyle Haas
Videography: Alyssa Shepherd

Acoustic & Vocals: Haley Mailhot
Piano & Backing Vox: Keaton Stone
Backing Vox: Chloe McCarthy
Electric Guitar: Ben McDuffie
Drums: Drew Walburg
Bass: Jamey Gorman