Brief Candles
words and music by Jane Voss
Old photographs fading in the frame,
Newspaper paragraphs – a date and a name –
Yellowing unclaimed in the attics of our past,
At last, all that’s left of your flame.
Who now recalls the time you came?
Who can recount the story of your fame?
You had your moment in the passing show;
Now we little know –
What do we owe? What was your name?
Brief Candles, flickers in the fray,
Defiant of the dark, you blazed a way.
With hearts on fire you raged against the night;
You shed some light in your day.
You are eclipsed; we are in the dark.
Turn back the pages, find the place you made your mark;
So inspired, we catch the spark
To burn on.
How far we’ve traveled since your time!
Oh, what a long way we have yet to climb!
The slopes are steep, the way is insecure,
Our steps are so unsure.
Light up our hopes,
That we may endure.
Brief Candles, flickers in the fray,
Defiant of the dark, you blazed a way.
With hearts on fire you raged against the night;
You still shed some light in our day.
Brief Candles still light our way.
copyright © 1988 Jane Voss
Obscure Origins Music (BMI)