The Bellman
For journeymen
Look now across the desert,
Down roads of nature’s hewn
To the oratory spire
That stands firm over the dunes.
Watch for the lonesome figure
Bent and doubled with fatigue
Making his winding journey
Across endless, sandy leagues.
Dusty furs and leather
Conceal battlescars beneath
The wrinkles of both age and time
And the man’s gritted teeth.
He climbs the spir’ling tower,
Precious instrument in hand:
A relic of the creed
That brought his fathers to this land.
He peers out on the sifting gloom,
His artifact held true.
For he knows the ancient customs,
Yea, he knows what he must do.
He tugs upon the rope
With calloused hands and practiced eyes
To send a message, long and clear,
Before the sun will rise.
DING DONG, DING DONG, the echoes ring
And soar across the air
To herald holy messengers;
Their wisdom for to share.
Whether or not he’s answered,
The man will still stand tall
Ringing his lonely music
For salvation of us all.
(2014)
I wrote this to one of my favorite songs, The Bellman, which is more or less one of the earliest Christmas songs ever written.
