Eliza Gilkyson - Emmanuel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oH1yRKHcs8
When at first I came into this land,
in the highlands I did dwell,
where ancient winged masters taught
the depths of wisdom 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
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 will,
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
From out of dreams awakening,
it seems ten thousand years
since I beheld my true love’s face
and cried these cleansing tears.
The song’s 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?