about
Some thoughts from the Reverend...
"As a pastor I spend a lot of time thinking about the stories of Jesus and his friends. We often label Jesus' friends as Saints, but they were flawed people just like me (and I'm assuming you).
Saint Peter was a hot head who according to Catholic tradition ends up becoming the first Pope and leader of the church. According to Mennonite teachings Peter became a pacifist after seeing Jesus heal the man he attacked.
Saint Thomas wouldn't believe in the resurrection without seeing and touching Jesus' crucifixion wounds. This same Thomas goes on to be the first missionary in India. I'm pretty sure it was never lost on Thomas that every one of his converts believed without ever seeing Jesus in the flesh.
Lastly we have Judas. Never saint Judas, always Judas the betrayer. At different times I have felt like each of these 3 Disciples. I have been the hot head, the doubter and the betrayer. I take heart that all 3 of these men were at the Last Supper (or the first communion) and were handed the bread of love and forgiveness from Jesus' own hands. Jesus does this, not after they have committed their most famous wrongs but before, "Knowing full well what" they (and I) would do."
lyrics
"The Story of 3 Disciples + Me" (by Old Reverend Randell)
1. Peter's Verse:
I might as well have been the one,
to shoot my mouth off, saying “I’d never deny You!”
I might as well have been the one,
to cut off a man’s ear who needed to hear.
I might as well have been the one,
the rooster crowed for in deep rebuke.
Chorus:
Yet You handed me the bread,
from Your own bruised hands.
Knowing full well what I’d do,
You still bowed Your head for me
2. Thomas' Verse:
I might as well have been the one,
to doubt my friends when they said they saw you.
I might as well have been the one,
to demand proof with no room for faith.
I might as well have been the one,
to touch your wounds and make you wince.
Chorus:
Yet You handed me the bread,
from Your own bruised hands.
Knowing full well what I’d do,
You still bowed Your head for me
3. Judas' Verse:
I might as well have been the one,
who stole money from your tattered purse.
I might as well have been the one,
who betrayed you with a kiss.
I might as well have been the one,
who hung himself from a dark, dark tree.
Chorus:
Yet You handed me the bread,
from Your own bruised hands.
Knowing full well what I’d do,
You still bowed Your head for me
credits
released April 28, 2020
Randell Neudorf: Vocals, Harmonica, Electric Guitar, Telephone Mic, Sleigh Bells, and Stomping.
Lyrics & Music by Rev. Randell Neudorf
Photo by Ethan Neudorf
ABOUT THE RECORDING PROCESS:
"The Story of 3 Disciples + Me" was recorded in the spirit of the field recordings of the 1920's. People like Ralph Sylvester Peer would travel the country side making recordings of local folk artists in any space available (hotels, ballrooms, warehouses, or even a church). There was no over dubs or multi track recorders. Everything was done off the floor in a single take. What you heard is what you got, and sometimes what you got was a miracle. This is how musicians like The Carter Family were first discovered.
In the middle of the pandemic, Old Reverend Randell remembered these old stories and headed up to his attic. He grabbed a vintage telephone mic and plugged it into an old National tube amp. The sounds buzzed and hummed as he cranked up his 1960's Harmony electric guitar and a little battery powered Pig Nose amp. He tied some sleigh bells onto his ankle and started stomping on the floor boards to make a beat. Just like those old field recordings, the performance was captured (warts and all) with just one mic.
The title of "Reverend" isn't a gimmick for Randell, he is an ordained pastor at a little Mennonite church plant called The Commons. "The Story of 3 Disciples + Me" is just one of the quirky little hymns he has written for his church (and yes he stomps on the floor in church as well).
license
all rights reserved
