ElectroMush – When I Crossed the Waters

“ElectroMush is an electronic fusion world music project formed in 2013 in Ukraine. This is a unique multicultural international product, which successfully combines the world’s old folk songs in their native language with the use of electronics. It uses the means, which unite eclectic cultures in both geographical and historical sense, from Asia to Europe, representing the ancient folk music as if it was written today. But ethnic instruments are not used in principle, the sound is created by unusual pieces: hoses, plastic bags, barrels, circular saws…Thus, ElectroMush offers an original view on the ancient music from the 21st century.”

Source: https://www.electromush.com/index.php/about.

Their self-titled 2018 album consists of covers from different people around the world in their native language.  Tales of Ukraine (2022) are original songs written before the war began.  They recorded this album in Kyiv to the sound of sirens and explosions amid Russian-Ukrainian fighting.

Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site!  Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.

1. What message does the song communicate?

This song is a personal experience of ElectroMush, who believes they alone have escaped the horror of a “devil spawn”.  The dead are piling up, with no one to bury them.  Though they feel like God has left them to die, as though the land engulfs them, they know that Christ will make things right when He comes again to judge the living and the dead.  The endgame for these people will be the unquenchable fire.

Score: 10/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

The entire song reflects Biblical principles and shared experiences of other Biblical figures.

Lyrics posted with permission from the artist.

[Verse 1]

When I crossed the waters
in the wake of dawn
Long ago I left behind
the lovely devil spawn
Sweetest day for every one of them
bitter day for me
there were many lonely roads
There was one of me

Much like Elijah in 1 Kings 18:22 and 1 Kings 19:10, ElectroMush feels like they alone left a terrible situation (the devil spawn), while their enemy rejoices in triumph.

There was one of me

Repeats line 8.

[Verse 2]

Shaking head in sadness
A thirst I’ll never slake
The death-watch will be never kept
No one will sit the wake

As the perceived sole survivor and having left their horrible circumstances, they believe that there are none left to bury the dead or attend their funerals.  At this moment, they feel abandoned by God (Psalm 22:1).

See the Moon light up the mountains
Where you’ll never be
Used to be so many friends and foes
There is one of me

ElectroMush mourns the dead, knowing that they will never see “you” in this life again, alongside their previous allies and enemies.

There is one of me

Repeats line 8.

[Verse 3]

Lonely, lonely wasteland
drowning in the dust

More “I am alone” language, adding that they feel like their dying in quicksand.

A further day is dawning
to find no one of us

That is, the day Jesus returns to judge the world, offering hope to ElectroMush (Matthew 24:43, Acts 1:9-11, 1 Corinthians 11:26, 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4, 2 Peter 3:10, Revelation 16:15, and Revelation 19:11-16).

The bonfire still is glowing
hiding in the lee

References the lake of fire, which will receive those judged by God (Revelation 20:15).

there are so many melodies
There is one of me

Though many songs could be sung about this tragic event, ElectroMush is only one person.

There is one of me

Repeats line 8.

Score: 10/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Unbelievers will likely think ElectroMush went through hell on earth, escaping people who hunger and thirst for violence, mourning the dead, and feeling half-dead.  Verse 3’s references to Jesus’ triumphant return and the lake of fire are subtle and may sail over their heads.  Still, those who experienced hardship will easily identify with this song.

Score: 8/10

4. What does this song glorify?

It glorifies God that ElectroMush is honest about their gut-wrenching situation, not forgetting that God will set right the wrongs in this world.

Score: 10/10

Closing Comments

ElectroMush’s When I Crossed the Waters stirs my heart.  It reminds me that there are people who go through severe tragedy, surviving massive loss of life.  Yet, Christ will come back to bring justice to unrepentant wrongdoers, bringing hope to ElectroMush and glory to God.  Unbelievers should easily identify with loss, even if they miss its subtle hints of God’s justice and eternal lake of fire.

This song is inspirational, but not appropriate for corporate worship.

Final Score: 9.5/10

Artist Info

Track: When I Crossed the Waters (listen to the song)

Artist: ElectroMush

Album: Tales of Ukraine

Genre: Electronic

Release Year: 2022

Duration: 3:48

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