"Shade"
lyrics and music by Benjamin Newman

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When Father Sun created this world
He made it harsh and bright
And made his children serve in bondage
Under his baleful sight

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	No hope of mercy, nor of reason
	Under the lash of noon
	If it had not been for the blessed treason
	Of the inconstant Moon

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		For the Sun's wisest daughter betrayed her father
		And broke his children's bonds
		And led us forth on the long march to freedom
		Over the shifting sands

The Sun is a tyrant and day means death
For no one can endure its full light
So she led us away from the Sun's hot breath
And into the cool of night

	Yet, thought night is a shelter and day is a curse
	We still need light to see
	So of her father's treasure she stole a small measure
	And brought it to you and me

		For true the Sun calls her thief and traitor
		For truly she betrayed
		But we call her goddess and queen and mother
		And we look to her for our shade

Now, Eric, I don't know the ways of your country
But you seem to have glare in your eyes
For your speech makes it clear you love light more than darkness
Can such solacy ever be wise?

	You tell us one god rules the whole of creation
	And the moon is a lifeless ball
	So when we hear a threat in what you call a blessing
	Can there be any wonder at all?

		I suppose I accept that this seeming of madness
		Is a matter of figures of speech
		To be "held in the light" seems a cruel kind of torture
		You might bear that in mind when you preach