Tunes on Tuesday: City of Refuge

Why this tune?

This week’s tune is another in my “Parsha Songs” series inspired by the weekly Torah portion. “City of Refuge” was inspired by the commandment in Parashat Masei (מַסְעֵ֣י) to establish “cities of refuge,” as described in Numbers 35:11 “you shall provide yourselves with places to serve you as cities of refuge to which [a man] who has killed someone —who has slain a person unintentionally—may flee.”

This story inspired a gospel blues song “I’m Gonna Run to the City of Refuge” first recorded in 1928 by Blind Willie Johnson. Nick Cave re-imagined the song in 1988 with his “City of Refuge” inspired by this story, “I’m gonna run to the city of refuge,” continuing the message of “you better run” addressed to the offender seeking refuge. My song takes the viewpoint of a person offering refuge, promising in the chorus that “I’ll be your city of refuge.”

This song is also my project for day 23 of the January 2024 Song-a-day challenge posed by the lovely people at Songwriting for Music Educators.

Lyrics:

When you find you're in too deep

When you crossed the line

You may think that you're out of options

Running out of time



There is hope for all who seek

In a troubled land

You should know that you have an option

Holding out a hand



I'll be your city of refuge

I'll be your shelter from the storm

Stay as long as you need to

I'll keep you safe and warm



I'll be your city of refuge

I'll give you comfort when you cry

You can tell what you want to

I'll never ask you why





Keeping watch while you're asleep

I recall my past

When I felt I had no options

Lonely and outcast



When it seemed that all was bleak

Facing one last stand

Found my way to a source of comfort

Offering a hand



I'll be your city of refuge

I'll be your shelter from the storm

Stay as long as you need to

I'll keep you safe and warm



I'll be your city of refuge

I'll give you comfort when you cry

You can tell what you want to

I'll never ask you why





There'll be time to face the music

Account for what you've done

But for now just save your breath

Gather strength

For those days to come





I'll be your city of refuge

I'll be your shelter from the storm

Stay as long as you need to

I'll keep you safe and warm



I'll be your city of refuge

I'll give you comfort when you cry

You can tell what you want to

I'll never ask you why

Tunes On Tuesday Reel

Check it out!

Complete track

Nick Cave: “City of Refuge”