Story of Isaac-the Painted Bird/Daniel Kahn

[00:04.669]The door it opened slowly [00:06.672]My father he came in [00:08.936]I was 9 years old [00:12.605]& he stood so tall above me [00:15.144]His blue eyes they were shining [00:17.287]& his voice was very cold [00:21.024]He said, "I've had a vision [00:23.374]& you know I'm strong & holy [00:25.532]I must do as I've been told" [00:29.209]So we started up the mountain [00:31.425]& I was running, he was walking [00:33.941]& his axe was made of gold [00:39.006]The trees they got much smaller now [00:41.573]The lake a lady's mirror [00:43.808]We stopped to drink some wine [00:47.188]Then he threw the bottle over [00:49.879]It broke a minute later [00:52.305]& he put his hand on mine [00:56.072]I thought I saw an eagle [00:58.683]But it might've been a vulture [01:00.826]I never could decide [01:04.568]Then my father built an altar [01:06.978]He looked once behind his shoulder [01:09.524]He knew I would not hide [01:34.391]& you who build these altars now [01:36.859]To sacrifice these children [01:38.853]You must not do it anymore [01:42.505]A scheme is not a vision [01:44.698]& you never have been tempted [01:47.565]By a demon or a god [01:51.174]Yes you who stand above them now [01:53.727]Your hatchets blunt & bloodied [01:56.165]You were not there before [01:59.728]When I lay upon a mountain [02:01.898]& my father's hand was trembling [02:04.466]With the beauty of the word [02:09.433]& if you call me brother now [02:11.740]Forgive me if I inquire [02:13.887]"Just according to whose plan?" [02:17.159]When it all comes down to dust [02:19.596]I will kill you if I must [02:21.872]I will help you if I can [02:25.874]When it all comes down to dust [02:27.712]I will help you if I must [02:30.256]I will kill you if I can [02:33.884]& mercy on our uniform [02:36.980]Man of peace or man of war [02:39.351]The peacock spreads his fan