Loud and clear I call the High From the ridge where eagles fly Stand accused, you thief of wool and blood The earth itself shall judge the flood I conjure thee, High Being of the Heights Witness now these broken shepherd rights VERSE 1 You walked beside me through the pass of stone Shared the salt, the bread, the lonely bone Swore upon the oak that roots the slope Swore the flock was ours in faith and hope You knew each lamb by the mark upon its ear You knew the spring that runs both cold and clear Then you turned when frost first bit the grass Sold the yearlings for a coin that would not last Led the gray wolves down the hidden track Left me bound while you went running back I name you here before the ancient pine Every footstep on the limestone trail Every broken promise in the gale Rises now so every peak can hear Loud and clear the stones repeat your name VERSE 2 Remember how the doina rose at dusk How the bells of sheep rang through the husk Of dying day upon the Carpath fold You praised the watch we never named of old You drank the wine the village widow pressed You wore the shirt my mother herself blessed Then you whispered to the rival clan at night Mapped the folds where all my living ran from sight Damn the tongue that spoke the false accord I stand upon this wind-scoured crown of rock And bid the High One lock every road Every path you take become a thorn and goad Every stream you cross refuse to give you road The mother waiting by the empty gate Will learn the truth no liar can negate Loud and clear the rivers speak your shame VERSE 3 The little ewe that warned me with her bleat Knew the knife you sharpened at my feet I will not lie down behind the winter fold I will not let the tale stay half-told High Being who holds the mountain’s breath Who turns the seasons, who decrees the death Of those who break the oldest shepherd law Come down and let the village saw The mark you leave upon this traitor’s brow So all who tend the wool shall know him now By every river, every hanging tree Let the accusation travel far and free From the low hut to the highest hanging stone From the first frost to the last leaf blown Hell take the gold that bought your second flight The High Being sees you in the failing light I conjure thee — set the living record free Loud and clear. The flock shall hear. The peak shall hear.
