Getting Close to the Edge
Music, 1976 • Lyrics, 2020, 2021
An old king rules a kingdom strong
He commands both sea and sky
Sophia whispers, “You can never know
“Where or when you die”
His three sons stand before him
“Find magicians, but only the best!
“Master the greatest of miracles
“And you will gain all I possess”
“Be back before the midnight toll when
“Nava-Varsha bonfires burn
“Then weave your spells, your most glorious spells
“Show me all you’ve learned!”
• • •
The eldest prince said, “The Kingdom’s mine!”
The middle son slyly grinned
The youngest said, “In every fairy tale
“The youngest always wins!”
Edging ever closer
Close to the edge
Edging ever closer
Close to the edge
The princess watches as her brothers leave
Seeking shamans of earth and sky
“Magic forever: a double-edged sword
“We need rain — you bring dragon fire!”
In distant lands the princes learn their arts
From spirit sorcerers of flesh and bone
“Teach me to command dark secret power
“Win the kingdom and the throne!”
• • •
The year drew to an end the brothers came
The New Year fires burned
“King and father, we bring great magic
“We gladly show off all we’ve learned!”
The princess and her ladies-in-waiting
Swift owls fly into the night
To weave a circle, to sing of Svarga loka
“From this darkness we give birth to light!”
Edging ever closer
Close to the edge
Edging ever closer
Close to the edge
The eldest son, from a single bone
Magiced a skeleton whole
The second son laughed, “Such a simple trick!
“My power now — Behold!”
• • •
• • •
Upon the bones: muscle, organs, skin
A tigress before them lay
“Beat that!” he boasted, “Now I am king!
“My every whim you will obey!”
Then the youngest princeling drew his wand
Breathing life into the corpse
His brothers stood bewitched, amazed
The old king he rejoiced
As the four men celebrated their powers
The tigress rose to her feet
Without a sound she felled her prey
A glorious royal feast
Edging ever closer
Close to the edge
The princess and her ladies-in-waiting
“From this darkness we give birth to light!”
As we edge ever closer
Close to the edge
Shri Devi and her dakinis-in-waiting
“From this darkness we will give birth to light!”
© Kirtland C. Peterson, 1976/2020,2021
