17 Lashes Lyrics

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