On the Dark Waters

On the dark waters of Tuonela

Sailed a ship hewn out of bone

Clambering against the current

Swiftly sailing the black waters

No water gushed around its fore

No trail left behind its aft

No oars there were to be seen

No sail hoisted on its mast

Who did sail that boat of bone, steer the silent ship of death

As it flew and dove and made its way upstream?

Waiting at the dark headwaters were a people sullen, silent

Baying for that ship to take their dead downstream

A ship of bone rose from the river

Called the dead aboard its deck

Through the fiery gates of life

It took its silent passengers

The black waters of that river

Turned to blood, bubbled and boiled

As the boat of bone was blazing

Dead dry veins ran red with life

Who did sail that boat of bone, steer the silent ship of death

As it flew and dove and made its way upstream?

Waiting at the dark headwaters were a people sullen, silent

Baying for that ship to take their dead downstream

Into a dark bend of the river

Were cast the nameless unborn

On top of a barren outcrop

Naked bodies of the elders

The dead were squinting their eyes

As they once more saw their shadow

They were born to a life of tears

In the light of a forgotten sun

Swiftly on the sable waters sailed back the boat of bone

To the dark waters of Tuonela

And the people woke astounded

To the dawn of their new life (Tuonela's dark water)

Saw the day once more a-breaking (Tuonela's dark water)

Knew the night would be descending