Stone Song from Roadside Saints by Zoe Mulford

My people have wandered for so long,
we've forgotten where it was we came from
The villagers call us beggars and thieves
and suspect us of stealing children
When we break camp in the morning,
they're relieved to see us leaving - and the road is long
There is nowhere that we are welcome
But every father gives his son a treasure he can carry
He says, This stone marks the center of the world
He says, Carry it with you always
The stranger's tongue may name you, child
The stranger's hand may harm you
but where you are is the center of the world
and one day, you will tell your children

that the whole world turns around the stone
You can chart your place under unfamiliar skies
The whole world turns around the stone
and you alone will know where the pivot lies

Every morning the sun may rise
over somewhere that is unexpected
Should I pass this way again,
who can say what the road will show me?
And the hills and valleys answer
to names I did not give them - and the road is long
and its end just another turning
But the stone is round and it fits my hand
like a story smoothed in telling
He said, This stone marks the center of the world
He said, Carry it with you always
Take it out and sing to it
when the road is lonely
and know that you're at the center of the world
and one day, you will tell your children

that the whole world turns around the stone
You can chart your place under unfamiliar skies
The whole world turns around the stone
and you alone will know where the pivot lies

You were not born into this road
but I see the road has come to find you
The dust upon your shoes is new
and behind you the bridge is broken
I do not have to ask to know
your compass has betrayed you - and the road is long
There is nobody now to guide you
There is nothing I can give to you
to aid you on your journey
but a stone to mark the center of the world
I say, Carry it with you always
What you love is far behind now
Let a stranger teach you
to know that you're at the center of the world
and believe with the faith of children

that the whole world turns around the stone
You can chart your place under unfamiliar skies
The whole world turns around the stone
and you alone will know where the pivot lies

• Folk
• clawhammer banjo
• neo-traditional
• singer-songwriter
• Manchester