The Different Drummer

All of my life I heard

The rhythm beneath the word:

The call and the music,

The dancing the singing,

The march into truth

And the one clear note ringing.

All of my life I heard

The rhythm beneath the word.

Always I heard its call

Reaching to me through all:

Reaching through seasons

Of falling and fumbling

The din and the chatter

Of all the world’s mumbling.

Always I heard its call

Reaching to me through all.

Always I heard its song

Showing the world was wrong:

Flapping and fussing

And rushing and turning

Selling its soul for

A momentary yearning.

Always I heard its song

Showing the world was wrong.

Always it spoke my name

Having the greatest claim:

Starlight and moonlight

And sunbeams a-dancing

Truth like a sword blade

Direct and not glancing.

Always it spoke my name

Having the greatest claim.

Always I heard its beat

Calling my awkward feet:

Kicking and tripping

And scuffing and sliding,

Till every part of me

Moves to its guiding.

Always I heard its beat

Calling my awkward feet.

Always a step beyond

The path familiar, fond:

Taken in trembling

To unknown places,

Finding my foothold

In alien graces.

Always a step beyond

The path familiar, fond.