Daniel Kahn & The Painted Bird
Story of Isaac
The door opens 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 had a vision
O, I'm strong and holy
O, I must do as I've been told
So he started up the mountain
I was running, he was walking
And his axe was made of gold
The trees, they got much smaller now
The lake a lady's mirror
He stopped to drink some wine
And he threw the bottle over
It broke a minute latеr
And he put his hand on mine
I thought I saw an eaglе
But it might have been a vulture
I never could decide
And my father built an altar
He looked once behind his shoulder
He knew I would not hide
And you who build his altars now
To sacrifice these children
You must not do it any more
A scheme is not a vision
And you have never been tempted by a demon or a god
Yes you who stand above them now
Your hatchet's blunt and bloodied
You were not there before
When I lay upon the mountain
And my father's hand was trembling
With the beauty of the world
If you call me brother now
Forgive me if I inquire
Just according to who's plan?
Well it all comes down to dust
I will kill you if I must
I will help you if I can
Well it all comes down to dust
I will help you if I must
I will kill you if I can
And mercy on uniforms
Man of peace or man of war
The peacock spreads his fan