Prayer to the shareholder
Originally released on Songs on the Eve of Dismissal (2017), now re-recorded for Time to Disappear, on its way to release this fall.
A full mock-liturgy set to a funk chant, bass and drums pounding out the call-and-response of a corporate congregation, trombone and alto sax rising behind it like a chorale answering the priest. The prayer is sincere in form and hollow in content: profit as scripture, the stock price as God, discipline and compound interest standing in for commandments, board members trembling the way believers once trembled before their own judgment. It’s a sardonic, fully-committed critique of corporate short-termism, dressed up in exactly the reverence it doesn’t deserve, and it ends the only way a prayer like this can: asking to be blessed even when the market corrects, even when blood runs through the streets.
Prayer to the shareholder
O Lord, We create value in your name You oversee our affairs
You know the outcome of our actions Now, and in the future
You know our spread, alpha and beta You know our strengths and weaknesses You notice not only our struggle of today But oversee entire quarters
You teach us not to be selfish
Nor to take into account our colleagues Or employment
But only to consider true value and return Regardless of where it originates
No man can hide from your command Board members tremble before you Like we tremble for your orders
And live in fear of a correction
Thus today we pray
For your blessing
And give into your hands Our dividend
May it be reinvested
Into tomorrow’s winners
Or hedge
Your currency exposure
Or serve in your suit
Against those who aim to withhold Your rightful profits
And should you abandon us
Do give us faith
That you will reinvest
When blood runs through the streets
Lyrics: Bastiaan Geleijnse
‘A gospel for those consigned to cubicle life, Chris Abelen’s album captures the angst and ennui of the career office employee.’
– Band Camp Jazz Pick
Vocals: Linda Ropa
Trumpet: Angelo Verploegen
Alto Saxophone: Floris van der Vlugt
Trombone: Chris Abelen
Bass Clarinet: Tini Thomsen
Guitar: Thijs Huybens
Double Bass: Ulrich Wentzlaff-Eggebert
Percussion: Yonga Sun
Lyrics: Bastiaan Geleijnse
Recording: Wedgeview Studios, except vocals, trombone & baritone sax, recorded ‘at home’.
Music, editing, mixing, mastering & production: Chris Abelen
Cover photo: Interior Lens
Amsterdam/Netherlands