Mordecai

We'd see him in the distance on the trail along the rim
His silver head against the mountain sky
And grandmas face would open up when she saw that it was him
And she'd say daddy grab a chair it's mordecai

And it seemed to me he brought as country store there on his back
As he layed it all before us on the ground
And I knew he'd finally reach into that ragged old back pack
For the candy that he always brought around

He said
My papa was a wanderin' jew
And its my fate to be one too
I'll roam these mountain trails until I die
Perhaps one day I'll see my home
Then he smiled and turned to go
And we all said goodbye to Mordecai

One evening when he stayed with us I saw him at his prayers
As the last light trickled through the cabin door
He stood before that little yellow candle burnin' there
Softly speaking words I'd never heard before

And I told him how my grandma said it troubled her mind so
That such a fine man wasn't washed in the blood of the lamb
He smiled and said tell grandma if it pleases her to know
That she and I both pray to the god of Abraham

He said
My papa was a wanderin' jew
And its my fate to be one too
I'll roam these mountain trails until I die
Perhaps one day I'll see my home
Then he smiled and turned to go
And we all said goodbye to mordecai

Its been so long now since I left that hillside far behind
For a place I've never truly called my home
And more and more these days I see him walkin' in my mind
Through the misty mountain distance all alone

Mordecai was a wanderin' jew
In my own way I am one too
I hope to make it home before I die
And if I finally find my way
I'll light a candle at his grave
And say one more goodbye to Mordecai