Verse 1 — A Visit to Selnar I came to Selnar with time to spare, To walk her streets in the balmy air. Her stairs climbed high, her ways ran wide, With lovely corners on every side. Then purple darkness crossed the sun, And through the streets we’d walked, we’d run. Chorus Oh, rain on the rooftops, wind at the door, Water where footsteps had fallen before. Selnar, dear Selnar, through thunder and foam, Keep all your people; keep calling them home. I came as a stranger, but still I recall Those days when the waters rose over us all. Verse 2 — The Storm Breaks The dust flew blind through the turning gale; We bent our heads to the rain’s cold veil. I tried to call, but the wind cried more, And drove us on toward a sheltered door. The streets ran swift beneath my feet; There was no kindness in that beating sleet. Chorus Oh, rain on the rooftops, wind at the door, Water where footsteps had fallen before. Selnar, dear Selnar, through thunder and foam, Keep all your people; keep calling them home. I came as a stranger, but still I recall Those days when the waters rose over us all. Verse 3 — The Infirmary Within the infirmary, through the night, I lay beneath the sheltered light. My visit held by wind and rain, I listened to it start again. Beyond those walls, the storm swept through; By morning, still, no clear sky grew. Chorus Oh, rain on the rooftops, wind at the door, Water where footsteps had fallen before. Selnar, dear Selnar, through thunder and foam, Keep all your people; keep calling them home. I came as a stranger, but still I recall Those days when the waters rose over us all. Verse 4 — The Gathering Below the clouds, the tents were spread, While storm winds troubled us overhead. For island folk, a place was made Beneath the canvas, tightly stayed. So many shores beyond our view— So many waiting to come through. Verse 5 — The Flooded Ways The bridge I’d crossed was closed to me; Its farther end lay in the sea. I stood beneath my dark umbrella, With rain upon the stone of Selnar. Where was the path beside the tree? Only the water answered me. Chorus Oh, rain on the rooftops, wind at the door, Water where footsteps had fallen before. Selnar, dear Selnar, through thunder and foam, Keep all your people; keep calling them home. I came as a stranger, but still I recall Those days when the waters rose over us all. Verse 6 — Water in the Inn The inn had taken the waters in; They lapped where evening guests had been. Around the tables, past the chair, The flood moved freely everywhere. No road lay dry where I could go; The city watched the waters grow. Verse 7 — The Outer Islands Beyond the city, through the rain, I searched for shores I’d seen again. Small crowns of green still met my eyes, Beneath those heavy, broken skies. How little land the storm had left; How much a rising sea had kept. Final Chorus Oh, rain on the rooftops, wind at the door, I hear you still, though I stand there no more. Selnar, dear Selnar, I carry the view Of dark, rising water surrounding you. I came for a visit, yet still I recall Those days when the waters rose over us all. Outro — Softly I came to walk your streets one day… The rain came down. I had to stay.
