Lighthouse Now
This song may have been written somewhat earlier than this (2001), or at least the lyrics were. It references some things expected to happen when the world ends. It also alludes to A Tale of Two Cities, wherein a prisoner had become so accustomed to imprisonment that he wouldn’t give up the tools he had been made to use in prison (if I recall the book correctly – it’s been some time since I read it). The imagery is of a lighthouse, which I think of as the place of knowledge and safety, and the good ship, the place of action and danger. We all find ourselves in each place at various times, and each needs the other.
George sings lead and plays acoustic guitar, Steve’s on bass, backup vocals and hurdy gurdy, Chuck’s on banjo and backup vocals and John on electric lead guitar.
The Lighthouse Now
We wait for the living to leave the grave,
For wise men to play the fool,
We wait for freed men to drop their chains,
And set aside their prison tools.
Hail! Who’s in the lighthouse now?
Hail! Who’s in the good ship now?
Hail! Who’s in the lighthouse now?
We live in times when the pauper deigns,
To sacrifice his wealth and fame,
When men are bound with fool’s gold chains,
That tantalize and tame.
Hail! Who’s in the lighthouse now?
Hail! Who’s in the good ship now?
Hail! Who’s in the lighthouse now?
We wait for the living to leave the grave,
For wise men to play the fool,
We wait for freed men to drop their chains,
And set aside their prison tools.
Hail! Who’s in the lighthouse now?
Hail! Who’s in the good ship now?
Hail! Who’s in the lighthouse now?