Story Of Isaac Lyrics - Live Songs - Leonard Cohen

The door it opened slowly 

My father he came in 

I was nine years old 

And he stood so tall above me 

His blue eyes they were shining 

And his voice was very cold 

He said, "I've had a vision 

And you know I'm strong and holy 

I must do what I've been told" 

So he started up the mountain 

I was running, he was walking 

And his axe was made of gold 

Well, the trees they got much smaller 

The lake, a lady's mirror 

We stopped to drink some wine 

Then he threw the bottle over 

Broke a minute later 

And he put his hand on mine 

Thought I saw an eagle 

But it might have been a vulture 

I never could decide 

Then my father built an altar 

He looked once behind his shoulder 

He knew I would not hide 

You who build these altars now 

To sacrifice these children 

You must not do it anymore 

A scheme is not a vision 

And you never have been tempted 

By a demon or a God 

You who stand above them now 

Your hatchets blunt and bloody 

You were not there before 

When I lay upon a mountain 

And my father's hand was trembling 

With the beauty of the word 

And if you call me brother now 

Forgive me if I inquire 

"Just according to whose plan?" 

When it all comes down to dust 

I will kill you if I must 

I will help you if I can 

When it all comes down to dust 

I will help you if I must 

I will kill you if I can 

And mercy on our uniform 

Man of peace or man of war 

The peacock spreads his fan