German 70s christian prog rock: EDEN

It's one of those times I have struck gold. Lately I've been sucked into 70s prog rock, and there's a LOT of awesome stuff to be found there, with incredible variation.

Yesterday I found this band, which released three albums (one in 1978, two albums in 1980). The first one is considered very good on progarchives, and is actually not that hard to find if you're living in Germany.

The genre is more prog folk, and the lyrics are in German. Still I thought there might be a chance that some of you may like this.

First album:

I've heard it! It's very good musically speaking. I wish I could understand the lyrics, though. Do you speak German?

I do speak German, I have to since I live in Germany   Dutch and English are easier though.

Nice! Do you mind giving me a brief rundown of what the lyrics are about? I've tried looking for translations but haven't found anything.

Right now I'm listening to the youtube video I shared, since I can't even find the lyrics in German on the internet. I'm not particularly good at hearing what words are sung (this also goes for when I hear English and Dutch songs), so I can't be very precise. It sounds fairly direct and biblical though. Sometimes Bible texts are read.

The one thing I can do is translate the song titles of their three albums. Maybe the CD booklet also contains the lyrics, but I'll have to buy the albums first. Anyway, here goes:

EXPECTATION (1978)
1: Late Rain
2: Expectation
3: Eden, part 1
4: Eden, part 2
5: Another Land

PERELANDRA (1980) [based on the C.S. Lewis book]
1: Swan Song
2: He Will Be
3: Light Song
4: Interlude
5: Against the Hidden
6: Perelandra
7: In Bragdon Forest
8: Images of a World
9: Conclusion (or finale)

HOMECOMING (1980)
1: Intro
2: The Lamentations of Jeremiah
3: Psalm 137
4: Psalm 126
5: Homecoming
6: Lord I'm Not Worthy
7: New Land in Light

 Wow, thanks andreas! I have only heard their first album, which I figured had something to do with Eden. Cool to know it's a lot of straight Bible. 

Now I'm interested in checking out their next two albums. I've never read Perelandra, but I presume it's a gold mine for pulling prog lyrics, since Glass Hammer also has a concept album based on Perelandra. I remember being pretty bummed about the lack of Christian prog when I first got into prog, but time reveals hidden gems!

FYI,  the 1978 album is entitled

Erwartung. The translation is indeed EXPECTATION.

Here is my mini review:
Yes this is progressive rock with a jazz fusion vibe. I can detect the following instruments: flute, cello, violin, synthesizer, organ, and saxophone in addition to the 'normal' rock band instruments. Sung in their native tongue, I am not sure what they are singing about but they sure seem happy. Yes the last song is 16 minutes long but sounds like it can be divided into 3 parts.

At youtube someone posted the german lyrics of the song "Spätregen" and a translation. I tried to translate it myself:

Verdorrt und wie tot liegt das Land. Vertrocknet die Seen, Die Felder verbrannt; lang ist’s her, Seit der letzte Vogel gesungen, Längst ist er fort, sein Lied ist verklungen . . . In der Stadt sind die Plätze und Märkte verlassen, Hunger und Seuchen Lauern in den Gassen; Voller Hohn wollte der Mensch den Schöpfer vertreiben, und den sie Verfluchten — jetzt hüllt Er sich in Schweigen . . . Gott, erbarm’ Dich über uns und Sende den Spätregen!  Erbarm’ Dich Deines Volkes und schließ den Himmel auf! (Lesung: Maleachi 3, 19; Sacharja 14, 7)


Withered and as dead lies the land
The lakes dried out, the fields are burned
it's been long since the last bird sang
Long ago it has gone, it's song has died away...
In the city the squares and market places are abandoned
Hunger and famine are lurking in the alleys
Full of mockery mankind wanted to expel the creator
and the one, they cursed - now he has fallen silent
God, have mercy on us
and send the late rain!
Have mercy on your people
and unlock the heaven!

(Reading: Malachi 3:19, Zechariah 14:7)


After that song and the song "Erwartung/Expectation", which is a outlook to the day Jesus returns and takes us with him to our true home, the lyrics speak about paradise, the fall of man, the fallen state of the world, the accountability of mankind for the state of the world as it chose to follow Satan's way, God - in his unending love - sending his son, mankind nailing him to a cross, the death and the resurrection of God's son and him sitting at God's right hand.

The last lines of the album:
"Hallelujah, Jesus has won
Brothers and sisters take his hand
and together we will go into his land
Hallelujah"

Thanks for the info!