DESCRIPTION:
A film festival favorite in 2012 and 2013, I'm now able to post it publicly.

Cradle To Grave started out as a song I wrote in the 1990s, with lyrics in the form of a fable about interstellar travelers who bring peace to each civilization they encounter. At the time, I jokingly described it as being "based on an untitled story yet to be written." Over the years I revisited the song, revising and re-recording it while thinking it could also serve as "the soundtrack of a film yet to be shot." In 2009 I recorded what I felt to be the definitive version of the song and began the search for an animator who could do it justice in visual form. I found that animator (Sunil Gahlawat), and after two years of creation and refinement of the imagery, I am happy to present the completed video.

Lyrics:

CRADLE TO GRAVE (©2012 Ken Glaser)

All aboard on a journey through space and time. On our way on a mission for peace of mind.

From galaxy to galaxy we're planting the seed. A flower that can change its form according to need.
Teaching young inhabitants to master the sound. In this way we harmonize with all that surrounds.

Sail away on the ocean of cosmic rays. Now we see in its brilliance the dawning day.

Destination Earth we have a gift for mankind. Abolishes the hate and leaves the beauty behind.
Awakening the vision, the melody flows. Unlocking magic rhythm, energizing the soul.

On our way on this journey through time and space. Destiny, past and future meet face to face.

Ready for salvation, triumphant education. Granting absolution, we pray for evolution.

It has no beginning, it will never end. A universe enlightened by thoughts that we send.
All the living things we've seen have to be saved. Let us weave threads of love from cradle to grave.

Fantasy, merging what is and what can be. Dream away, live as one for eternity.

Ready for salvation, triumphant education. Granting absolution, we pray for evolution.

We've come from far away to find you.
All the while within, without you.
Spread your wings and fly.

recitation: Now we advance to the final phase of the journey.
The fabric of time has already begun to dissolve beneath us.
We are floating down, spiraling down the vortex.
Reversing the millennia.

As we head toward the point of singularity, eternity is expressing itself as a ray of light.
With infinite will, we become one with the light.
All is light, pure white light. No center, no boundary, no dimension.

Now is the moment of realization.
The image collapsing, as slivers of darkness shatter the continuum.
We have arrived. We have arrived. We have arrived -- again.

Lyrics and music by Ken. All vocals and instruments by Ken, except violin by Misa Kitagawa.