Capo I
Em C/G
Well I stepped into an avalanche,
Em D Em
It covered up my soul;
Em C/G
When I am not this hunchback that you see,
Em D Em
I sleep beneath the golden hill.
G B7
You who wish to conquer pain,
Em C/G ... B7
You must learn, learn to serve me well.
Em C/G
You strike my side by accident
Em D Em
As you go down for your gold.
Em C/G
The cripple here that you clothe and feed
Em D Em
Is neither starved nor cold;
G B7
He does not ask for your company,
Em C/G B7
Not at the centre, the centre of the world.
Em C/G
When I am on a pedestal,
Em D Em
You did not raise me there.
Em C/G
Your laws do not compel me
Em D Em
To kneel grotesque and bare.
G B7
I myself am the pedestal
Em C/G B7
For this ugly hump at which you stare.
Em C/G
You who wish to conquer pain,
Em D Em
You must learn what makes me kind;
Em C/G
The crumbs of love that you offer me,
Em D Em
Theyre the crumbs I've left behind.
G B7
Your pain is no credential here,
Em C/G B7
Its just the shadow, shadow of my wound.
Em C/G
I have begun to long for you,
Em D Em
I who have no greed;
Em C/G
I have begun to ask for you,
Em D Em
I who have no need.
G B7
You say you've gone away from me,
Em C/G B7
But I can feel you when you breathe.
Em C/G
Do not dress in those rags for me,
Em D Em
I know you are not poor;
Em C/G
You don't love me quite so fiercely now
Em D Em
When you know that you are not sure,
G B7
It is your turn, beloved,
Em C/G B7
It is your flesh that I wear.