The Turning Point

the reverend walked the fields
the rough fields near Spijkerboor
on his way to see his father
who was sick and weak and old
from the other side
came a soldier lost his way
there’d be no more marching
no more taking orders
there’d only be a shallow grave
over beer inside an inn,
met these two unlikely men
in the morning they did travel
as two dear and long-lost friends
many people saw them leave
many people heard the laughter
as they moved across the fields
the reverend and the soldier
in this land as flat as water
you will reach a turning point
where your ship can go no further
where your spirit has no choice
was the sun shining?
or were there clouds of gray?
when the soldier thought this
man of God
would be such easy prey
were there birds up in the sÂ
who heard a shot or scream?
did they carry sorrow’s echo
to the banks of the north sea?
— chorus —
call the blacksmith
bring him to the turning point
and have him make an iron ring
attach it to the wall
and there chain Anton Link
the soldier who deserted
now must fall
they will break you on the whÕl
beat you with your Turkish rifle
leave your body and your head stuck on a pole
to warn any man who would dare to be so bold
did you dream another fate?
did your children find the light?
can we ever know the measure
of a stranger in the night?
— chorus —