Emmanuel

When at first I came into this land
In the highlands I did dwell
Where ancient winged masters taught
The depths of wisdom's well

Emmanuel, he walked with me
And secrets he did share
The order of the swirling stars
The laws of earth and air

The golden pipes of heaven
He entrusted in my care
And I sang of the mercy of
Emmanuel

In time I went a-wandering
Into the world of man
And though I knew the sacred songs
My separate dreams began

And when I thought the pipes were mine
My eyes grew blind as well
My soul from heights of heaven fell
Emmanuel

Am
Slumbering, sleeping
Slipping through seasons of silent night
The servant, the snake
The soldier, a storm
A poet, a mother
A child stillborn
A rock, a star
A drunk in a bar

How many more times, dancing the skin dance
Sorting the systems of violence, romance
Sobbing the sorrow, walking the wheel
Hiding the horror, fighting the feel
Pushing the wheel, like a rock up a hill
Until, until, until

I’m drawn so slowly step by step
Out of this darkened place
So unaccustomed to the light
So wary of its grace

Oh, how I long to hear the pipes
I held before I fell
And sing the ancient songs of love
Emmanuel

Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah

From out of dreams awakening
It seems ten thousand years
Since I beheld my true love's face
And cried these cleansing tears

The songs returning one by one
Out of my memory's well
How can I lay them at your feet
Emmanuel?
Can I lay them at your feet
Emmanuel?