Little One Tom Booth Unravel [CD] Buy and Download iTunes

Artist Reflection

I suppose most every composer has a song that was written as a result of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. "Little One" is the song that poured out of my heart a couple of months later. As I watched those towers come tumbling down, I couldn't believe my eyes.

Then, as Advent and Christmas approached, I needed a new song for a performance and I literally composed a song for it. I was pretty much numb at the time. I was drained emotionally, being a very sensitive person, and I couldn't really write music for a while. But I felt the need to transform, redeem and baptize the image of the towers falling to the ground in some small way. Then it occurred to me: Christ had come down from heaven, experienced a beautiful life, and also a seemingly hopeless end; death on a cross — his own broken and scarred body, lowered to the ground.

When it all comes tumbling down,
I'll remember that you came down for me, Little One.

I have always related to the Incarnation in a particular way. The Word became flesh, but did so in the most humble and human of ways: as a baby, basically in an animal stall, cared for by a mother and father — but no other real comforts to speak of; just the love of his parents. No bed, no hospital, no comforts of home, yet this Little One would turn the world on it's ear.

The paradox of the gospel is so wonderful. The Little One brings down the mighty, and brings about true change! And this truth lowers me to the ground as well.

They say the lion and lamb will lie down in peace.
Just the thought of it brings me to my knees.

"Little One" is on the Unravel record. At the time I was thinking a lot about paradox, juxtaposition, foreshadowing and a lot of other fancy words. I was, and am, continually struck by the thought of the scandal of the cross, the paradox of the gospel, and that the Little One is the Way, the Truth and the Life for a big, hurting world.

- Tom Booth