EDNA
Lyrics
EDNA (No Lord To Listen)
She walks the streets at midnight, her life bagged in her arms
Her fantasies are friendly, her memories mean her harm
She talks to make sure loneliness is always kept at bay
And if you listen closely I’m sure you’ll hear her say
“There is no Lord to listen so there is no need to pray
We’re born to begin dying and I’m well on my way”
Her words were cold and bitter when I woke her from deep sleep
Her bag clutched like a pillow, an empty bottle at her feet
I told her to be leaving before the first train came
Then I sank into her dark eyes and I swear I heard them say
“There is no Lord to listen so there is no need to pray
We’re born to begin dying and I’m well on my way”
A life of open winters was singing in her breath
The bottle was her companion, her saviour would be death
She seemed so lost and scattered that I started on my way
But I froze to hear her saying, “May you never feel the pain”
“When there is no Lord to listen so there is no need to pray
When you’re born to begin dying and you find you’re well on your way”
My money found her open, but my pity met with scorn
She said she knew some rich men who needed it much more
Though fate had not been friendly she’d fought to find her way
And when the Reaper called her she’d have no debts to pay
“Cause there is no Lord to listen so there is no need to pray
We’re born to begin dying and I’m well on my way”
I don’t know why old Edna was the one to cut my heart
I’d found so many others lying hopeless in the dark
She lifted up her bundle then she turned and walked away
I shivered, deep inside me I heard the voices say
“Is there no Lord to listen? Is there no need to pray?
Are we born to begin dying? Am I well on my way?”
© Van Clayton Powel