The Green Pajamas

Story Of Isaac


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 and you know I'm strong and holy
    I must do what I've been told." 
So he started up the mountain, I was running, he was walking
    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 over, 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


_______________________
by Leonard Cohen
(c) 1967, 1969 Stranger Music,Inc.