Story of Isaac Songtext

von Suzanne Vega

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, you know I'm strong and holy,
I must do as I've been told."

So we started up the mountain.
I was running, he was walking.
And his axe was made of gold.

The trees they got much smaller,
The lake a lady's mirror.
We stopped and drank some wine.

Then he threw the bottle over,
It broke a minute later
And he put his hand on mine.

I'd thought I'd 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.

And 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 that stand above them now,
Your hatchet's blunt and bloody.
You were not there before.

When I lay upon the 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 enquire just according to who's 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 also kill you if I can.

Have mercy on our uniform
Man of piece or man of war.
The peacock spreads his fan.