Before I was born - David Haas

Translated into ASL by David Bar-Tzur

Created 10 February 2007, links updated monthly with the help of LinkAlarm.

EXPLANATION OF THE GLOSSING SYSTEM
(to understand how I describe the signs in this translation).

Refrain: YOU-rt MAKE ME, YOU-rt SHAPE ME. ||: YOU-rt SUPPORT MY LIFE. LONG-AGO BEFORE ME BORN. :||

1. YOU-rt SEARCH-FOR ME AND FIND ME. YOU-rt KNOW PLACE ME SIT OR STAND. YOU-rt KNOW MY HEART DEEP. EACH TIME ME MOVE OR REST, ||: YOU-rt FIND ME EASY ANY PLACE. :|| Refrain

2. BEFORE ME EXPRESS MY IDEA, YOU-rt KNOW WHAT ME WANT SAY. YOU-rt COME CLOSE-TO ME, YOUR-rt HANDS LAID-ON-me. ||: ME FEEL OVERWHELMED. :|| Refrain

3. IF YOU-rt SEARCH, ME HIDE, IMPOSSIBLE. ME ESCAPE HOW? (<) SKY, (>) UNDER EARTH, YOU-rt EVERY PLACE. (<) PAST SUNRISE, (>) IN OCEAN, YOU-rt THERE-ctr. ||: YOUR-rt HAND WILL GUIDE MY WAY. :|| Refrain

4. YOU-rt MAKE EACH PART ME. INSIDE-SELF MY MOTHER, YOU-rt KNIT ME. MY FUTURE PUT-DOWN YOUR BOOK MY LIFE. LONG-AGO BEFORE ME BORN. ||: YOUR IDEAS AMAZING, GOD. :|| Refrain


Notes: YOU - Underlined words are honorific indices ("indexes"), using the FT of the upturned palm to indicate who is being honored.

The signs between "||:" and ":||" are to be repeated.

LAID-ON-me - (2h)[B] are laid on signer's forehead.

SKY - using the FT of the upturned palm, point > sky and sweep the hand > DS. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - sky.

INSIDE-SELF - The FT of [C] are held against the chest and stuff the FT of [O^] into the [C] twice.

KNIT - (2h)[1] mimic knitting needles.

PUT-DOWN - (2h)[B], POs up, FOs away, move downwards as if puting something down.

Lyrics:

Refrain: You made me, you formed me, ||: you kept me alive long before I was born. :||

1. You have sought me out and found me. You know where I sit or stand. You know the depths of my heart whenever I move or rest. ||: You find me wherever I am. :||

2. Before the word comes from my mouth, you know what I want to say. You come close to me. You lay your hand upon me. ||: All of this is too much for me. :||

3. How can I ever hide from you? Where can I run from you? Above and below -- you are there. To the dawn or to the sea -- you are there. ||: Your hand will guide my way. :||

4. You have created every inch of me. You have knit me to my mother's womb. You have record of all my days, long before they ever began. ||: How amazing your thoughts , O God. :||

treble clef as a symbol for musicTo hear a performance, go to Before I was born - Haas and click on "hear the music."

Home