Gasping

He kneels there, on that lonely hill
shivering in the cold.
But he will not rest (how could he?)
his love would soon unfold.

He could not sleep the night before;
his eyes are steely set
so great his love, his body exhausts
the store of anxious sweat.

Nothing to fear, the time draws near
for groom to take his place.
The bride's faith waxes in the light
of his bright smiling face

The sun creeps over that hill,
all fogs and fears are gone.
Before the bride will show herself,
the groom bursts out in song--

"Soon my love is written in stone,
soon the covenant made;
soon her eyes will never be sad,
soon the price will be paid."

And with that note, they led him away
to the court where the priest
would pronounce the word of the Lord,
"Two are one; love's released."

But this time was different--
this time the groom was bound;
this time all things seem lost;
this time anguish will sound.

"I stand condemned for you, dear bride,
never forget my love for you!
It's for your life I died, dear bride;
So you would live anew."

Gasping, he dies on bended knee,
his faith would never falter!
Now front and center, all may see
that his tree is the altar.