re: invention,  Uncategorized

There is A Fountain Filled with Blood (Remake of the Fortnight)

There is a Fountain Filled with Blood, arr. The Welcome Wagon

It’s possible, even somewhat probable, that you’ve heard of eclectic singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens. (While re:invention has yet to review any of his work, though we very well might someday, you can find good reviews here and here, and check out his music here.) While this post is not about Sufjan or one of his songs, it’s about a person who has an unique influencee/influencer relationship with Sufjan: his pastor.
Gospel/indie pop band The Welcome Wagon hails from Brooklyn and is made up of a husband and wife, Vito and Monique Aiuto. Vito is a Presbyterian pastor at Resurrection Williamsburg, and Sufjan Stevens goes to his church.
This arrangement of William Cowper’s 1772 hymn “There is a Fountain Filled with Blood” was released on the EP Purity of the Heart is to Will One Thing in 2009. (This was the extra material that didn’t fit on their first album, Welcome to the Welcome Wagon.) The simplicity of the central melody, the gradual build that comes from additional instruments and harmonies as the song progresses, and the low-key-but-still-major lilt that the duo has brought into the arrangement make it a uniquely standout version of an otherwise very covered classic.
Awesomely, The Welcome Wagon has released Purity of the Heart is to Will One Thing for free on Noisetrade. Don’t not download it. If you’d like the sheet music for it (including the harmonies) you can have them for free from Cardiphonia.

I grew up in Minnesota and then went to high school at Luther Preparatory School in Wisconsin. While there, I began my pastoral studies and, more importantly, met my wife Alexandra. We both attended Martin Luther College in Minnesota, where I studied Greek & Hebrew along with theology and history. I received my bachelor's degree in Biblical languages and went on to Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. While studying at the seminary, I served an internship for one year at Beautiful Savior in Summerville, SC. I thoroughly enjoy playing guitar. I am figuring out how to play banjo & mandolin. Alex and I enjoy hiking, finding new and interesting restaurants, and getting to know the Charlotte area. We're very happy to be back in South Carolina - we can't wait to see what God has in store.

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