Godfather Death

Lyrics

[Intro]
(a tolling bell and low cello, a solemn processional)

[Verse 1]
A poor man with thirteen mouths went looking for a fair godfather,
turned down God (too partial) and the Devil (too false) and settled on a stranger —
a tall thin figure on the road who evens every score:
"I'll make your boy a famous man. I am the one they all come for."

[Chorus]
Godfather Death gave a gift that was really just a sight —
"stand at my head, the patient dies; stand at my feet, they'll see the light."
And the boy grew rich on the certainty the rest of us are spared —
but a man who can read the ledger of Death starts thinking Death can be dared.

[Verse 2]
A king, a princess, twice he turned the dying bed around,
spun the sick man heel-to-head so the healing could be found.
Death smiled the smile of a creditor whose patience has a shore,
and led him down to a cavern lit with the candles of all before.

[Bridge]
(the bell slows)
"This little stub is your life, godson" — and mortal-fear went cold —
"I'll light you a fresh one," Death lied kindly, and let the old one fold.

[Outro]
The flame went out like a held breath leaving, quiet as a door...
you cannot cheat the one who's counted every candle that came before.