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