Reply #90: Leonard Cohen -- Story of Isaac [View All]

The door it opened slowly
my father he came in
I was nine years old
And he stood so tall above me
his blue eyes they were shining
and his voice was very cold

He said I've had a vision and you know I'm strong and holy
I must do what I've been told
So we started up the mountain
I was running, he was walking
and his axe was made of gold

The trees they got much smaller
the lake a lady's mirror
we stopped to drink some wine
And he threw the bottle over
it broke a minute later
and he put his hand on mine

Thought I saw an eagle but it might have been a vulture
I never could decide
Then my father built an alter
He looked once behind his shoulder
He knew I would not hide

And you who build these alters now
to sacrifice your children
you must not do it anymore
A scheme is not a vision
and you never have been tempted
by a demon or a God

You who stand above them now your hatchets blunt and bloody
You were not there before
When I lay upon the mountain
and my father's hand was trembling
with the beauty of the Word

And if you call me brother now
forgive me if I inquire
just according to whose plan?
When it all comes down to dust
I will kill you if I must
I will help you if I can

When it all comes down to dust I will help you if I must
I will kill you if I can
Have mercy on our uniform
Man of peace, or man of war
the peacock spreads his fan.