Re: Angels, Julie Miller

Paul J. Oh (ohp@unixg.ubc.ca)
Fri, 15 May 1998 15:40:33 -0400 (EDT)

Pierce Pettis' "Family," which was covered by Dar Williams is a plea for
another's comfort after facing the death of a loved one. It has the
following chorus:

Let your love cover me
Like a pair of angel wings
You are my family . . .

Bob Bennett's "Angels Around Your Bed" from _Songs From Bright Avenue_ is
a prayerful song for protective care of a daughter separated by divorce.

I also like very much Dee Carstensen's cover of Hendrix's "Angel."

Randy Stonehill sings in "Breath of God" (if my memory serves me):

Father, Father
Lift me on you wings
Show me why the angels sing

Julie Miller seems to be continually fascinated with angels; it's not
surprising since she sings like one. She has a knack for getting equally
angelic harmonizing partners like Emmylou Harris, Victoria Williams, Shawn
Colvin, Rev. Dan Smith, and of course the inimitable Karen Peris of the
Innocence Mission (as Julie exclaimed to me "Mission accomplished!"
Indeed.). "The Devil is an Angel Too" is more about the way evil
masquerades as light -- rather than about angels -- but the metaphor is
apt and is supported by the Christian Scriptures.

Sincerely,

Paul Oh
------------------------
"Thought is like touch, comprehending by being comprehended."
--Abraham Heschel