Still Small Voice

Franke recorded this song on his 1989 "Brief Histories" album on Rounder Records.

Franke was a seminarian before he left divinity school to pursue a career in music. He often uses biblical themes and imagey in his songs. (e.g. the story of the wise and foolish virgins in Mattthew in"Beggars to God" and the Book of Isaiah in "Great Storm Is Over") 

The refrain line comes from 1 Kings 19:11-12: " Then God said [to the prophet Elijah], “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire [came] a still small voice."

Brother Martin in v.1 refers to Martin Luther King.

The "one-eyed bandit" in v. 3 refers to televison.

The "trumpet's call" in v.4 refers to the vision of the Apocalypse in the Book of Revelations, the final chapter in the Christian Bible (specifically Revelations 8: 6-12).

Franke's use of the word "Lover" at the end of the song is provocative. It may refer to God embracing and welcoming us home at the end of our life - or perhaps at the end of the world - or of the world as we know it now. What do you think Franke means by using this word of endearment?