Verse 1 — A New Responsibility In April, I came carrying The lessons of the years, To rooms that held a promise Beyond my doubts and fears. As Chancellor in Lara, I set my papers down; There was a college to look after, There were teachers to be found. Chorus Leave one more lamp in Lara, Set another waiting chair. Someone may arrive with questions; Let them find a teacher there. Though our days were few together, There was work worth working for— Every page we shared in Lara Left me hoping to share more. Verse 2 — Abraham’s Work When Abraham stepped back so soon, His work remained in hand: The notes and the instructions, The things he hoped we’d planned. I read what he had left me, And thought of what might be; To keep that place of learning Was a trust he’d left with me. Chorus Leave one more lamp in Lara, Set another waiting chair. Someone may arrive with questions; Let them find a teacher there. Though our days were few together, There was work worth working for— Every page we shared in Lara Left me hoping to share more. Verse 3 — The Work Behind the Lessons I put the rooms in order, Found a place for every scroll, Kept the lessons and the letters From becoming scattered rolls. There were schedules to be settled, There were messages to send; And tomorrow’s list grew longer As today came to an end. Verse 4 — An Invitation I gathered views of rooms prepared, And chose the words with care, To show a passing stranger What we hoped to offer there. I carried our brochures with me To meet the scribes of Gor; Perhaps the next one reading Would come walking through our door. Chorus Leave one more lamp in Lara, Set another waiting chair. Someone may arrive with questions; Let them find a teacher there. Though our days were few together, There was work worth working for— Every page we shared in Lara Left me hoping to share more. Verse 5 — The Difficult Days A teacher left; an empty place Meant plans must change again. I searched for someone willing To take up the waiting pen. Then over tea with Erik, I could speak of all that weighed; “One class at a time,” the comfort— And another plan was made. Verse 6 — A Larger Dream With Aldae, conversation Turned to all that we could build: A school of Gorean knowledge, With its rooms and benches filled. Myriam joined the planning, And the pages multiplied; Twenty-six core classes, And a dream too large to hide. Chorus Leave one more lamp in Lara, Set another waiting chair. Someone may arrive with questions; Let them find a teacher there. Though our days were few together, There was work worth working for— Every page we shared in Lara Left me hoping to share more. Verse 7 — Between the Hours There was tea beside the working, There were greetings at the inn, And a tour of changing Lara When I let the daylight in. On the balcony, begonias Needed water, needed care; I would tend them in the quiet, Then return to papers there. Verse 8 — May’s Farewell By May the ninth, my chapter At the College reached its close. A short line in a ledger Cannot tell how much it holds: The rooms I’d made inviting, Every hopeful letter sent, And the thought that someone’s learning Might be better for time spent. Final Chorus Leave one more lamp in Lara, Set another waiting chair. May the next who comes with questions Find a patient welcome there. I will carry what we started Through whatever lies before— For the dream I held in Lara Still has lessons left in store. Outro — Softly I gather up my papers, Leave the room prepared once more. For a moment, I look backward— Then step beyond the door.
