Judy Collins - Thomas Merton Lyrics

The wind sang in the bare woods
And Thomas prayed by the trees
Heard him whisper through my dreams
That life was a reprise

Met him on the mountain
Seven times, we walked
I heard his voice, I saw his life
And listened to his talk

People came from far away
To stand there by the river
They saw his life, they saw his home
A searcher and believer

He visited with holy men
He meant to find the answer
He saw all wars were evil
And the devil was the dancer

He dreamed of being an eagle
With wings he would fly
From the west to the north to the east
Through rain and sleet, through wind and snow
He'd find his way to bring us peace

When his heart led him
To the place where he would die
The Dalai Lama welcomed him
To Thailand

Prayers were prayed and joy was spread
And hearts were filled with calm
But in the afternoon
Thomas Merton's life was gone

The story was that he had died
Stepping from the bath
Shocked by the electricity
That lay there in his path

In holy robes, the deed was done
As the stars were shining bright
Years went by and lies were told
Would the truth not come to light

He dreamed of being an eagle
With wings he would fly
From the west and the north to the east
Through rain and sleet, through wind and snow
He'd find his way to bring us peace

After he was buried
Upon his death concealed
The evidence of bullet holes
Finally was revealed

Somewhere in a shadow life
The guilty ones live on
With silver in their pockets
They hide the smoking gun

Why are people so afraid
Of those who work for peace
JFK and Dr. King
Prayed for wars to cease

He dreamed of being an eagle
With wings, he would fly
From the west and the north and the east
Through rain and sleet, through wind and snow
He'd find his way to bring us peace

The wind sang in the bare woods
And Thomas prayed by the trees
I heard him whisper through my dreams
That life was a reprise
Ooh
Ooh