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BALLAD OF DAVID AND JONATHAN

David was a shepherd lad,
The youngest of eight boys.
He played a small harp with his hand
And made a joyful noise.
A ruddy, handsome youth
Who made the women dance and sing,
A brave and valiant warrior
And destined to be king.

Saul was King of Israel.
David bore his shield,
And David played the harp
To make the evil spirits yield.
But when David slew Goliath
He achieved the greater fame,
And Saul from that day forward
Was jealous of his name.

Jonathan, the son of Saul,
Met David on that day.
Jonathan and David
Loved each other right away.
Jonathan took off his robe,
His armor and his belt,
And gave them all to David,
For he loved him as himself.

Saul convened his servants
And Jonathan as well,
And bade them to kill David,
And not one word to tell.
But Jonathan told David
That the plot was under way,
And bade him find a secret place
To hide three nights and days.

David said to Jonathan:
The new moon is tomorrow.
Go to Saul, and leave me here,
Alone in grief and sorrow.
Saul will be expecting me,
And when I do not show,
Find out how he feels
And find a way to let me know.

Jonathan came home alone
And asked his father’s leave.
Saul arose in anger,
Causing Jonathan to grieve.
He said the love of Jonathan
For David was a shame,
And Saul commanded once again
That David should be slain.

Jonathan went to the field
On the appointed morning.
He shot three arrows in the air
For David, as a warning.
And when they knew they were alone
They both did weep together,
Kissed each other one last time,
And bid farewell forever.

Jonathan was later slain
While fighting for his nation.
David mourned to hear the news
And made sad lamentation.
For Jonathan was wonderful,
The true love of his life;
He loved him more than women,
More than he loved his wife.

Taos, New Mexico, 1996