the Land of Darkness

It was a dark and cold land indeed
But its people were content
Through the winter you can hear them chant
And smile in bravery they did.

There came from foreign parts a traveller
Who'd seen the Sun in all its glory
His eyes were tired and weary
And upon the dark skies they did water.

     Land-hi, land-ho
     Let us not be changed
     By those who do not know...

The villagers were awed by his tales indeed
Of warmth and golden fields
For foreign dreams he planted the seeds
And dream in the long night they did.

He built a church to light in a spruce forest
Such darkness comes from the mind
So, he said, the spirit's quarels must be calmed
He built a church and prayed without rest.

     Land-hi, land-ho
     Let us not be changed
     By those who do not know...

But the spirits were absent indeed
So by human hands light was to be done
He set them to plant torches on every home
And set to work hard they did.

The flame's light rose like a burning dawn
And revealed fields, forests and houses
Revealed also the villager's faces
That to the man were faces of demons.

     Land-hi, land-ho
     Let us not be changed
     By those who do not know...

The fire's light was dire to them indeed
Blinded, they became furious,
The traveller's escape was precarious
Search for him the night-creatures did.

Light was never spoken of again
The people forgot and all were content
Through spring and fall you can hear them chant
In the ruins of a church made pagan.

     Land-hi, land-ho
     Do not try to change
     Those whom you do not know.