The Story Of Isaac

Am F Am F The door it opened slowly, my father he came in G F E I was nine years old Am F Am F And he stood so tall above me, blue eyes they were shining G F E And his voice was very cold C C/G C C/G He said, "I've had a vision and you know I'm strong and holy D C B I must do what I've been told" F Bb F Bb So he started up the mountain, I was running, he was walking F G A 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 ove, 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 NOTE: use the standard Cohen picking style (see Winter Lady) (from Songs From a Room, 1968) (sent by Harlan at harlant@hawaii.edu)