The Wilderness

The aurora borealis was shining at my feet

As I went walking down Heaven's midnight street

Windows cold and lonesome, shadows black as coal,

All along the avenue I did not see a soul.

But today the angels did it up, their banners everywhere,

For an ancient king who earned his wings and for the sparrow in the air.

I saw Jesus with Mohammed, and I called His name out loud,

I tried to get an autograph but I could not fight the crowd.

And I'd rather write a poem about the days of Jeroboam

Than sing another song 'bout how it all went wrong,

You're the one who asks me why I keep the walls so high,

What is it you'd have me say with tears in my eyes?

Can you hear the tomcat crying like he's got nine lives to lose,

And a harp off in the distance playing Baby How Long Blues.

Angels and alley cats -- I know just how they felt,

I always was a long shot but you play the hand you're dealt.

And it's time to buy a ticket to the land of my birth,

The agent says "Are you going to hell?,"

I say "No, just back to Earth."

Hand me down my walking shoes, I can't deny it's true,

I'm headed for the wilderness and there's nothing I can do.

I saw Rahab the harlot with some TV-movie starlet

Talkin' shop and crooked cops and how you just can't ever stop.

A million or a widow's mite, if it was mine to spend,

Baby things would sure be different but there you go again.

And I was hoping to ask Jesus Christ not that I doubt Your Word,

Or fear You were misquoted or imperfectly were heard.

Somewhere You ask rhetorically why would a father not

Give what his children ask of him without a second thought.

Is it just me, do I lack the faith of the lowly mustard seed,

Then why would I have called at all in my time of need.

I pray it all will be revealed, 'til then I'll muddle through

Crying in the wilderness, I guess that's nothing new.

Noah watched the skies above for the raven and the dove,

He had his moment in the sun, he climbed ashore and he was done.

That's who I was, that's what I did, and this I leave behind --

I was on the mountain top, I see it in my mind.

And the aurora borealis slowly fades away,

And sleep falls like a blessing down on the world of clay.

Meet me in the station when the light does shine,

I've got no destination, just take me down the line.