Playing to the Firmament

There are kids, lots of kids, who put the law inside a circle
As they jump, I hope that you will up and down, up and down
When did you cave into this role that you were cast in
When did dress-up turn to fashion, throw your gown up and down

There's always the sky, let it hear what you're saying
For all that you are saying
And let it take you apart, to the elements of praying
Till we are only playing to the firmament
Till we are only playing to the firmament

In the rain, in the rain, people rush around on cold streets
Here's a shell to hear their heartbeats very loud, very loud
Where's the pain, it's only rain, it's only slowing down a work day
Only singing happy birthday to a crowd, very loud

So turn on the sky, let it hear what you're saying
For all that you are saying
And let it take you apart, to the elements of praying
Till we are only playing to the firmament
Till we are only playing to the firmament

And when did sex get so mean, when did crime get so clean
You know I just can't seem to find the soul in this striving
Why not play to a dream, cause the world is too green
For all this bad driving

What's the rush, dip your brush into this twilight
There are leaves upon the skylight- trace your hand, trace your hand
Old Mr. Red, he shot ahead he shot ahead inside a circle
On a bad day who would you kill? Take a stand, trace your hand

There's always the sky, let it hear what you're saying
For all that you are saying
And let it take you apart, to the elements of praying
Till we are only playing to the firmament
Till we are only playing to the firmament

Dar Williams (1968 - ), from the album The Green World (2012)
This song makes me think of Psalm 19.