No Other gods

by Glen on 2002-11-17 00:11:55

My Temple is built of wood and of stone
Each space is filled with the things that I own
Idols of gods that call me to bow
Oh, I try to be free, but there’s no freedom now.
No freedom now.

The ones I hold dear, those most precious to me
Some days I set them afloat on an indifferent sea
and these things in first place, they’re worth nothing at all.
At night in my dreams, graven images fall.

And my gods won’t let me sleep.

And what a man sows, that he will reap.
And I toss and I turn at night,
I’ve got places to go, I’ve got battles to fight.
And my gods won’t let me sleep tonight.

Ambitions once good, once noble and pure
now rule with a rod that cannot endure.
These bonds I have forged, with two willing hands,
they’re not easily torn by the strength of a man.
And my gods won’t let me sleep.

And what a man sows, that he will reap.
And I toss and I turn at night,
I’ve got places to go, I’ve got battles to fight.
And my gods won’t let me sleep tonight.

No other gods before you,

No other one besides.

Oh, I want to sleep in peace when I lie down.
All of the voices calling, all of their hands that claw me
Won’t let me lend allegiance to their crown

And my gods won’t let me sleep.

And what a man sows, that he will reap.
And I toss and I turn at night,
I’ve got places to go, I’ve got battles to fight.
And my gods won’t let me sleep tonight.
Please let me sleep.

— No Other gods, Wayne Watson’s “The Fine Line”, 1998