Gaffer & Stranger
Dec. 21st, 2009 09:28 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
written_leavesWhen death is nigh and storms abound
Deep within my heart
I find your words.
Two for Sam, who persevered. The first is for his Gaffer, without whose horse-sense wisdom he would have been adrift and the second for the intensity he dealt with in watching his Master falling deeper beneath his burden and into the edges of madness. Gaffer is somewhat based on a song by Michael Card that he wrote for his own grandfather.
Gaffer
You're just a simple gardner
From the bottom of the Hill,
Living in your peaceful place and time,
A wise and thoughtful serving man
With a warm and honest heart
And a face that's known a smile
Many times.
Upon your knee I learned a faith
That never gives up on hoping
In you I saw just what I'd want to be.
Oh Gaffer
I'm glad your words are near
To tell me what to do
For I first grasped the strength of life
Through you.
Your servant's heart could fill with pride
For artistry in simple jobs,
You always took great care in all your work.
And when you guided my young hands
Teaching how the seasons planned,
You never knew how much
I'd need your words.
Watching you work I learned a faith
That never gives up on hoping,
You taught me just how "proper" ought to be.
Oh Gaffer
I'm glad your words are near
To tell me what to do
For I first felt the light of dawn
With you.
This time of sorrow bears me down
Despair is everywhere I turn
And all my own encouragement is gone.
But as time's passed us I have found
When death is nigh and storms abound
Deep within my heart
I find your words.
Beside your chair I learned a faith
That never gives up on hoping,
On winter nights you taught me how to see.
Oh Gaffer
I'm glad your words are near
To tell me what to do
For I have found your wisdom
To be true.
-
Stranger
Please cling to the truth in spite of the lies-
I beg you to fight, and with me to stay;
A stranger is watching me from your eyes.
By wandering, darkness, and flame you're tried;
You look at me with such distrust and hate -
Please cling to the truth, in spite of the lies!
Desolate, barely a star as our guide,
I see your soul drifting lost and astray.
A stranger is watching me from your eyes
Who is this speaking with your voice, and why
Do you utter the words whisper'd to say?
Please, cling to the truth in spite of the lies...
Your gaze lies empty, all trusting has died,
I no longer know when you might betray -
A stranger is watching me from your eyes
Hopeless words spoken to make the heart cry,
Please tell me that you will return one day -
Please cling to the truth in spite of the lies.
A stranger is watching me from your eyes.
-
Deep within my heart
I find your words.
Two for Sam, who persevered. The first is for his Gaffer, without whose horse-sense wisdom he would have been adrift and the second for the intensity he dealt with in watching his Master falling deeper beneath his burden and into the edges of madness. Gaffer is somewhat based on a song by Michael Card that he wrote for his own grandfather.
Gaffer
You're just a simple gardner
From the bottom of the Hill,
Living in your peaceful place and time,
A wise and thoughtful serving man
With a warm and honest heart
And a face that's known a smile
Many times.
Upon your knee I learned a faith
That never gives up on hoping
In you I saw just what I'd want to be.
Oh Gaffer
I'm glad your words are near
To tell me what to do
For I first grasped the strength of life
Through you.
Your servant's heart could fill with pride
For artistry in simple jobs,
You always took great care in all your work.
And when you guided my young hands
Teaching how the seasons planned,
You never knew how much
I'd need your words.
Watching you work I learned a faith
That never gives up on hoping,
You taught me just how "proper" ought to be.
Oh Gaffer
I'm glad your words are near
To tell me what to do
For I first felt the light of dawn
With you.
This time of sorrow bears me down
Despair is everywhere I turn
And all my own encouragement is gone.
But as time's passed us I have found
When death is nigh and storms abound
Deep within my heart
I find your words.
Beside your chair I learned a faith
That never gives up on hoping,
On winter nights you taught me how to see.
Oh Gaffer
I'm glad your words are near
To tell me what to do
For I have found your wisdom
To be true.
-
Stranger
Please cling to the truth in spite of the lies-
I beg you to fight, and with me to stay;
A stranger is watching me from your eyes.
By wandering, darkness, and flame you're tried;
You look at me with such distrust and hate -
Please cling to the truth, in spite of the lies!
Desolate, barely a star as our guide,
I see your soul drifting lost and astray.
A stranger is watching me from your eyes
Who is this speaking with your voice, and why
Do you utter the words whisper'd to say?
Please, cling to the truth in spite of the lies...
Your gaze lies empty, all trusting has died,
I no longer know when you might betray -
A stranger is watching me from your eyes
Hopeless words spoken to make the heart cry,
Please tell me that you will return one day -
Please cling to the truth in spite of the lies.
A stranger is watching me from your eyes.
-