Buddha

[Intro]
Buddha
Before the light
I wake beside the river

[Verse 1]
I left my father’s house
Crossed the shallows before dawn
My mother’s thread upon my sleeve
The last of home I wore

I worked for bread and copper
Stayed for someone’s eyes
My robes grew soft, my sleep grew thin
The river filled my nights

[Chorus]
Buddha, Buddha
I heard you in the shade
Held your words till evening
Then carried mine away

River, river
Wear my name away
Let me sit with empty hands
Till nothing asks to stay

[Verse 2]
The boatman took my ring
And asked which shore was mine
A blossom turned upon the stream
I watched it leave us behind

These hands had counted silver
These hands had held a face
Now resting on the weathered wood
They felt their weight

[Bridge]
I walked to be another
Bent down to drink
My face was waiting
Beneath the wavering light

Someone called for passage
I rose and loosed the line

[Final Chorus]
Buddha, Buddha
I was so quick to leave
Now the shadows cross the water
And I let them pass through me

River, river
The evening settles slow
Someone waits upon your shore
Like me, so long ago

[Outro]
I bring the boat around
Reach across
And take his burden down