17 Lashes -

I ran to my father yet he would not have me

Ran to my mother, she showed me such shame

Ran to the mirror where my brother haunts me

Ran to the harbor to watch the incoming rain

I follow the map, it ran down my backside

Helpless in that as I charted my course

Here from the seaside I can see the desert

Headed out east with a dollar in my purse

Let the rain wash away, amen

I will hold my brother’s hand

And if I am guilty of too much sin

Let the rain wash away, amen

Further inland I came to this small town

Masters won’t stand an ignorant child

Went from a traveler to master’s possession

Taught me to fight and then they taught me to kill

Every night except for the sabbath

I was content to fight round for round

First there was laughter and the marks on my backside

Then there was silence and a body on the ground

Let the rain wash away, amen

I will hold my brother’s hand

And if I am guilty of too much sin

Let the rain wash away, amen

I dreamt of the desert, along my backside

Dreamt of the forest, along my back

Dreamt of the waters, along my backside

Dreamt of the gardens, along my back

Seventeen lashes along my backside

I can see mountains, along my back

Seventeen lashes along my backside

Seventeen rages I have made

My master’s hand, how softly I hold it

As he stares up with them cataract eyes

Packed my belongings and left for my desert

The road it is cluttered with my master’s cries

Soon I will find the gates to my garden

Then I will shed this manger frame

I’ll find my brother come hell or high water

Renewed in purpose and then renewed in name

Let the rain wash away, amen

I will hold my brother’s hand

And if I am guilty of too much sin

Let the rain wash away, amen