Your kingdom is within me
A walled city.
I am the watchman pacing his beat
Upon the walls under your stars
Looking out over the silver shadow countryside
All night long.
I am the priest offering incense
Among the lighted candle prayers,
I sing in the choir and write the songs;
I am the old man on the street,
The reader sitting in the park,
The child listening to stories
By the fire.
I am the worshiper tattered and soaked
Who comes in for prayer from the rain;
I am the shoemaker and the barber,
The baker and the carpenter
The plumber, welder,
Banker and farmer.
I am the keeper,
I build on foundations you have laid.
I am the listener as I walk the streets
Or sweep them, or rake the fallen leaves,
Sometimes I see you, or hear your voice
among the people.
I am the father and the mother,
I make safe families and homes
Radiant with peace and joy for happy children;
I expect you, my king to return after a long journey.
I want my city to shine with the light
You left for us burning in it,
streetlights and windows
like the moon and stars.
