"Majestic"
Over the hills and far away
A home built of crystal and clouds
This is where I live
Yet I traverse a treacherous plain
To encounter others who have lost their way.
I call out to them, “Come to my home
There is food and clothes and drink so sweet
My father would love to meet you
He knows your heart completely
He does not turn away;
Do not be ashamed of your tattered dress
Or your shabby hat.”
They keep walking, I cannot comprehend
If they could only see the streams of mercy
Would they not want to swim in the pools of gladness?
Or taste the ambrosia of the words my father speaks?
Over the hills and far away
A home built of crystal and clouds
I came across a man lying in the road
His sores oozed
Legs contorted
Hair matted
I asked if he would like to be healed
Shouting angrily he informed me,
“Who are you to heal me?
Can you not see the perfection of my situation?
Judge me not stranger and keep on your path far from me.”
Tears welled in my eyes, and pain tore through my heart.
Could he really be that blind?
Live an existence in his own filth?
Over the hills and far away
A home built of crystal and clouds
I was passing a priest
Thrilled, I paused to speak to him about my father.
Bewildered he looked at me if I were insane
He did not know my dad
Disheartened I continued on
Not know my father?
In whose name does he preach?
Sadly his own I think.
Over the hills and far away
A home built of crystal and clouds
A woman fell at my feet and cried out to me
“Son of the most high, renew me
Make me whole, I am broken
My blood is killing me.”
So I gave her mine.
Daughter, you are forgiven.
Follow me.
Over the hills and far away
A home built of crystal and clouds
A crowd came to meet me
They had heard of me
Imagine that, heard of me?!
They asked me to tell them of my father’s house
Finally, they want to know of the glories of my father!
So I told them.
I shared from my heart what dad had told me.
Some of the men traveling with me,
Those I love as my brothers,
They began to argue
Who will be the greatest in my father’s house?
Who will get to sit next to whom?
Oh, dad, they just don’t understand, do they?
Over the hills and far away
A home built of crystal and clouds
They took me away today
Tried me in front of the ‘holy’ men
Threw me to the political machine
Sentenced me to die
My journey is coming to an end
As I trudge this long road
I cannot feel my father
I can’t hear him
I can’t see him
My God, why have you forsaken me?
I died today
In pain
In fear
I died just the same as you
Over the hills and far away
A home built of crystal and clouds
I met them along the road
They didn’t recognize me
We talked for hours
Walking, talking, sharing
They believed I was alive
They knew not that it was I
Somehow they believed
Their hearts burned with the spirit
I broke bread with them,
Their eyes opened and they knew
It was I, Alive
Over the hills and far away
A home built of crystal and clouds
It is time
I must return home, to my father’s house
But do not be anxious
I am making room for you
Go
Walk the perilous and rutted path
Tell others of me
Lead them
Over the hills and far away
To a home built of crystal and clouds
I will welcome them
Those who believe
I am the way
I am the truth
I am the life
Will you come to my father’s house?
I am waiting for you
Over the hills and far away
In a home built of crystal and clouds
