Refrain

Melody

You ask how a man approaching the tomb
      can go back and start anew.
Just let the water and wind be the womb
      and follow the song passing through.

                                             Refrain

Don't ask why I bother to speak to you.
      Your lie is not what you think.
I'll give you water to quench your thirst;
      for new life, draw deep and drink.

                                             Refrain

Don't sit there and cry: 'There's no one to help!'
      If you really want to be free:
Rise! and try to walk by yourself.
      I AM, the light, lets you see.

                                             Refrain

You follow because of the food you were given
      but will hunger until you believe:
I AM, the bread offered from heaven.
      Take, eat! and true life receive.

                                               Refrain

I AM, the shepherd; I AM, the door;
      I AM, the truth, way and life.
Those who are mine know my voice.
      Peace I leave instead of strife.

                                                Refrain

I thank you, Father!  Now your will be done
      here below as above.
I only ask: make my brothers one
       as you and I are, in love.

                                                 Refrain

--- Mahlon H. Smith

* Author's note: This poem based on John 1, 3-6, 8 & 17
was first published as a Christmas card
  (December 1970).
The refrain & melody are from a song ("The Word") learned
through oral transmission
while a student in Toronto in 1965.
The composer remains unknown to me.
In publishing this
I express my gratitude--and apologies--to him or her.

To prevent the note of hopeful celebration in this piece
from becoming the basis of false pride,
this song is best used
in the context of a shared meal.

Image: Genesis
is a lithograph of a negative by the author
representing Genesis 1:4