STORY OF ISAAC

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 he started up the mountain • I was running : he was walking
	and his axe was made of gold

well the trees they got much smaller • the lake a lady's mirror
	we stopped to drink some wine
then he threw the bottle over • 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 altar • he looked once behind his shoulder
	he knew I would not hide

you who build these altars now to sacrifice these 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 a 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
and mercy on our uniform • man of peace or man of war
	the peacock spreads his fan

                                                    leonard cohen