The Ballad of John Mouldy
Music: Ben Johnston-Urey
Lyrics: Adapt. from "John Mouldy" by Walter da la Mare (1873 - 1956)

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." (John 10:27-28 KJV)

There are few things we can be more certain of in life, than death. In this sobering account from poet Walter de la Mare, a man pays a visit to his neighbor, only to discover that he has long since passed away! His concerned calls reverberate with the age-old existential question: "Is there anybody there?" Through the lens of faith, we may seek our answer!

Lyrics:
I spied John Mouldy in his cellar
Down at the bottom of the steps he lay.
In the dim-lit light I saw him smilin'
Smilin' there, he was all alone.

Oh, John, did you hear me walkin' down, down, down the cellar stairs?
Oh, John, did you hear me callin' "Is there anybody there?"

I spied John Mouldy in his cellar
By the light of the Dog Star bleak and grim.
He read no book, he spoke no words
And a musty shroud did cover him.

Oh, John, did you hear me walkin' down, down, down the cellar stairs?
Oh, John, did you hear me callin' "Is there anybody there?"

The dew descended and the dusk was still
And one by one, the rats came in.
Around John's feet those rats did gather,
Creepin', crawlin' all over him.

Oh, John, did you hear me walkin' down, down, down the cellar stairs?
Oh, John, did you hear me callin' "Is there anybody there?"

I spied John Mouldy in his cellar
Down at the bottom of the steps he lay.
In the dim-lit light I saw him smilin'
Smilin' there, he was all alone.

Oh, John, did you hear me walkin' down, down, down the cellar stairs?
Oh, John, did you hear me callin' "Is there anybody there?" (REPEAT)

Vocals: Christopher Aaron Smith
Ensemble Vocals: Kellie Pearson, Amanda Jones, Isabel Muraki, Caitlin Johnston-Urey, Ben Johnston-Urey
Piano: Ben Johnston-Urey
Drums; Rodrigo Villanueva
Guitar: Rob Tomaro
Bass: John Christensen
Violin: Zachary Peterson

Recording live at First Lutheran Church in Janesville, Wisconsin. Mixed and mastered at Clutch Studios in Madison, Wisconsin.