The Canyon black
Vocals and Lyrics by Maria Hathaway
Music by Chas Hathaway
The Canyon Black is an abridgment of the poem, “The Valley of the Canyon Black,” by Maria Hathaway. The poem is a parable of the Cain and Abel story.
The song is abridged, but the words to the original poem are written out in full here.
The Valley of the Canyon Black
by Maria Hathaway
Where the road follows the path of the stream
dividing the valley with one great seem
there cottonwoods in sunlight gleam
a morning wakes from twilight’s dream
in the Valley of the Canyon Black
Follow this road of dusty cloud
with rocks and boulders well endowed
to find a path in scub oak shrowed
that leads to the Canyon Black
The wind that ripples an ocean of sage
and bends the trees that moan with age
holds a secret within it’s rage
like a story that’s lost in a torn up page
of the Valley of the Canyon Black
Keep the wind strong behind
for thus the tail will soon unwind
the path becomes a twisting vine
of quaking aspens and emerald pine
climbing the Canyon Black
A cougar track now marks the sight
velvet grass and daisies white
sparkling brooks on either side
of the meadow of the Canyon Black
In years gone by two houses stood
built of trees from nearby wood
by men who shared their mother’s blood
her only sons, a gift from God
to the valley of the Canyon Black
One was fair with eyes as blue
as morning glory’s silken hue
touched with first light’s chrystal dew
in the meadow of the Canyon Black
His cedar hair with cheerfull ease
curled and danced on slightest breeze
his honest heart with aim to please
resonated purest peace
through the valley of the Canyon Black
A flute he carved from ancient willow
it’s haunting song was low and mellow
penetrating to the marrow
the soul of the Canyon Black
The elder brother, lean and tall
with hair like leaves in crimson fall
and eyes that glinted green and small
always watching, seeing all
that moved in the Canyon Black
All his thought he freely gave
to that which held his heart a slave
for it was greatness he did crave
over all in the Canyon Black
And so his mind began to long
to overpower his brother’s song
his flute was straight, his fingers strong
but everything he played was wrong
for the Valley of the Canyon Black
In envy’s senseless rage he dwelt
watching as his brother knelt
drawing from his leather belt
his flute in the Canyon Black
Through glinting eyes and anger’s tears
the elder watched the forest near
tremble with pleasure, a silent cheer
for what it knew it soon would hear
soothing the Canyon Black
And then the younger unaware
raised his flute without a care
and from his lips blew purest air
breathed in the Canyon Black
Like smoke that curls on mountain breeze
music wrapped around the trees
shivering though the aspin leaves
the melody of river reeds
the song of the Canyon Black
The elder brother’s eyes grew narrow
from his quiver he drew an arrow
