Crucifixion – Cimabue

On the Fourth of November 1966, the water from the river Arno surged through the historic streets of Florence, resulting in a number of human fatalities and ruining millions of paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, and archival documents, including Cimabue’s Crucifix (c. 1265) and Giorgio Vasari’s The Last Supper (c. 1546-1547). Today, the partially restored Crucifix stands resurrected in the church of Santa Croce, a symbol of the dedication of restorers and the amateur Flood Angels who rescued flakes of pigment and gold leaf from the oily waters.

Lead vocal – Ben Jones

Guitar – Ted Stafford

Baritone guitar – Bernd Schoenhart

Bass – Yuka Tadano

Organ – Greg Pliska

Drums – Mark Brotter

Heaven Bell – Mel Marvin

Spread your wings and save me,

Angel of the Flood,

The river’s running through my hands,

My heart is leaking mud.

Color flowing down the drain,

Gold leaf mixed with blood,

Spread your wings and save me,

Angel of the Flood.

700 years since your paint brush crucified me,

700 years since your vision deified me,

700 years since your genius resurrected

In the dark, without an Ark, naked, unprotected

Spread your wings and save me…

700 years of Florentines,

700 years of turpentine,

700 years, now a messianic rain,

Drowning me in blasphemy,

And now I die again.

Spread your wings and save me…

Angel of the Flood.

Angel of the Mud.

Angel of the Flood.