Exhalation

This song was inspired by “Exhalation,” the collection of science fiction short stories by Ted Chiang. Originally performed for the Bushwick Book Club Seattle virtual show in February 2021.

Lyrics

Will my breath be yours one day?
Will a part of me remain?
Do our stories echo across the years?

Will you feel it in your blood
collective joy, and pain,
and love that all gave rise to you?

In the great exhalation
that came before, will come again
and in the end,
is what we are

Each of us a single breath
fleeting moments in a cosmic chest
each moment a miracle

connected by a common dream
seeking knowledge, beauty, truth
what can be achieved?

In the great exhalation
that came before, will come again
and in the end,
is what we are

Rejoice, ooh
Rejoice, ooh
Rejoice, rejoice

In the great exhalation
that came before, will come again
and in the end...