Declare Your Love

in the murdered rain in the graveyard hour

as a huddled rock beside the radiant flower

declare your love

in the fields of snow where the battle’s fought

and the red red rose where the soldier dropped

declare your love

on the streets of plague by the carts of death

the church bells black use your dying breath

declare your love

declare your love to the burning flame

declare your love to the passing train

declare your love on the blade of Cain

declare your love

in the beggar’s rags in the regal cloak

in the battered town where the bombs explode

declare your love

in the midnight hour with the strength of ten

when your strength is gone then even then

declare your love

by the waters deep under ash-white stars

tiny speck of soul little scrap of heart

declare your love

declare your love for the rites of spring

declare your love like a mad blind king

declare your love for anything

declare your love

on the humble eve by the simple stream

upon a fallen leaf as you float to sea

declare your love

on the harp & lyre to the Holy King

on the whisky glass toast the drunken spring

declare your love

on the mountaintop where the word is Om

the snow falls soft on a man alone

declare your love

prepare for love with a suit & tie

prepare for love with your skirt hiked high

prepare for love with what’s true inside

prepare for love

on the day of the saint with the tunic soaked through

blood and tears and the faint drum tattoo

declare your love

on the day of the saint if the sun be dull

declare your love if it shines at all

declare your love

in never more and once again

in everyday and forever amen

declare your love

(including extra verses not in version that appears on ‘A Startle of Wings’)