Wash My Eyes
Greg Brown’s song, “Wash My Eyes,” is one of my favorites. It’s fitting for all times, but especially for the times we are in; but of course, we’re always in a time of some sort. I spent many years singing and hearing this song with the line “Let the cruel and raging seas. ” I found “seas” a bit confusing, but oh well, it’s Greg you know, and he knows his way around a lyric. Then, in the Age of the Internet, when all lyrics are found by a Google search rather than patient listening, I discovered that the line is a much more seniscal “Let the cruel and raging cease.” I still like “seas” though.
This song has always been to me a prayer. Today it is a very fitting post-election, Thanksgiving prayer.
Here is the whole song:
Wash my eyes that I may see
Yellow return to the willow tree
Open my ears that I may hear
The river running swift and clear
And please
Wash my eyes
And please
Open my ears
Wash this world that is one place
And wears a mad and fearful face
Let the cruel raging cease
Let these children sleep in peace
And please
Wash this world
And please
Let these children
Sleep in peace