THE BALLAD OF CASEY DIESS
traditional

T'was a man of youthful features
T'was a boy of sorrowful eyes
Watching out by looking inwards
Tall and stately and full of life

In his life he spoke so rarely
In his mind he cried for light
Painting perceptions trying to capture
That which he saw in his questions strife

Bring him no wine from far away vineyards
Tell him no tales of the canyon's might
But wish him peace and eternal wisdom
For he has died and he died by light

Once in Lisbon, twice in London
Travelling around for all his time
Looking for and finding a goddess
He took Diana to be his wife

Of the children they'd begotten
Two had died without knowing life
And the third I know not whereof
But if she lives she will yet be kind

Bring him no wine from far away vineyards
Tell him no tales of the canyon's might
But wish him peace and eternal wisdom
For he has died and he died by light

Casey had a mark of simple value
He had a star between his eyes
In his hands he held an axe blade
The Greek symbol of thunder and fire

On a night when the heavens were crying
He went out and took his blade
Chopping wood to warm his hearthside
The lightening came and my brother died

Bring him no wine from far away vineyards
Tell him no tales of the canyon's might
But wish him peace and eternal wisdom
For he has died and he died by light