"New Hymn"
This is from one of my favorite albums, James Taylor's 1993 Live album.The recording has the quality of a studio album and the energy and warmth of a live performance (which, of course, it is).
You can scroll down to see the lyrics.
New Hymn
by James Taylor and Reynolds Price
Source of all we hope or dread
Sheepdog, jackal, rattler, swan
We hunt your face and long to trust
That your hid mouth will say again let there be light
A clear new day
But when we thirst in this dry night
We drink from hot wells poisoned with the blood of children
And when we strain to hear a steady homing beam
Our ears are balked by stifled moans
And howls of desolation from the throats of sisters, brother, wild men
Clawing at the gates for bread
Even our own feeble hands
Aim to seize the crown you wear
And work our private havoc through
The known and unknown lands of space
Absolute in flame beyond us
Seed and source of Dark and Day
Maker whom we beg to be
Our mother father comrade mate
Till our few atoms blow to dust
Or form again in wiser lives
Or find your face and hear our name
In your calm voice the end of night
If dark may end
Wellspring gold of Dark and Day
Be here, be now
*
Wow! This is magnificent! How have I missed it? Thanks for bringing it to the top. Thanks for including the words. I may need to hear it a few more times
ReplyDeleteDavid
www.davidbrazzeal.com
Yes, indeed. This song/poem holds so much in its words: affirmation of Life's realities, confession of our own condition, and longing for the Divine in holy union.
Delete