The Witness Ballad

from Lion's Paw Blues & Other Songs by Menchaca

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lyrics

Who can accompany one
So gloriously alone?
Where can he travel
To seek respite from the throne,
Where the tongue between his teeth
Is like a marble bed
And no word rises there
Since Lazarus from the dead
Where angel faces stare
Like wooden maidens from a prow
Unblinking at the diadem
Of planets on his brow?

            Where can he go?
            Who can know?

So he wanders down the hall
Built to shelter all those souls,
Past the dark apartments
Not even shadows can household,
And he finds a winding ladder
And rung by rung climbs down
And his garment’s yellow hem
A touch of ocean foam turns brown
Wind pushes through his fingers
And sunlight makes him laugh
Nervously like momentary blindness
After a photograph

Above the Spanish city’s…
Unfinished spires
…Rise to everlastingness
While their architect expires…
Beneath the wheels of streetcars
…He flies on by
In a patch of sunflowers…
Something catches his eye…

Mylar balloons signed Jesus….
Tethered to a string…
Waving from the scene of 
Someone’s head-on collision…

Tickled by the adoration
He comes down
Preparing to meet the faithful
As he touches the ground

Inundated with a thousand
Streamed transmissions
Freighted with requests
Entreaties and conditions

He slips behind a mannequin’s eyes
And hides behind the glass
And window shopping pilgrims
Sense a deal but pass

He waits on one side
Of a mirror made of skin
Which pictures him desire
But will not let him in

            He shuts his eyes from witnessing
            But can’t help listening

Come on down to the witness.....

credits

from Lion's Paw Blues & Other Songs, released May 4, 2015
Thanks to D for background vocals

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about

Menchaca Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Menchaca is a Pittsburgh-based artist, composer and writer.

theseeingmonkey.com

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