Shen's Song
#48 of poetry
For the character this piece is named after, see here: https://www.sofurry.com/view/1739683
Which isn't to say that this is a sequel to that, or that the events implied in this song are going to be true of the character at any point. This is based on a traditional folk song called "Fare Thee Well" or "Dink's Song." It's ultimate source is unknown, but it's speculated to have originally been about a enslaved couple, parted when one of them has been sold away. So I'm thinking that, if this intersects with canonicity at all, this maybe is Shen's go-to song, on evenings, when it's his turn to sing something.
If I had wings like Noah's dove
I'd fly up the river to the one I love.
I'd fly up the river. Wouldn't stay around
Where I got troubles to hold me down.
I'd say farewell, all my troubles,
Fare thee well.
I got no money for to buy my meal.
Oh my honey, I know just how you feel.
Oh poor honey, don't you wait for me.
You fly the river, where you're gonna be free.
And say farewell, poor honey,
Fare thee well.
I got no money, couldn't get no sleep.
Can't get no water for to wash my feet.
Can't get no water, for my throat so dry.
Ain't no more river for me to fly.
Sing farewell, my honey
Fare thee well.
If I had wings I'd rise above.
Instead I sit here longing for the one I love
Sit here longing, try my best to sing.
But I'd trade my song in for a pair of wings.
And say farewell, my longing
Fare thee well.
I remember one evening in the pouring rain.
And in my heart, nothing much but pain.
And in my heart was a crying shame,
Ain't got nobody but my heart to blame.
Say farewell, my heartache,
Fare thee well.
I remember one evening it was pouring rain,
Now it ain't never gonna rain again.
Now it ain't never getting off my chest.
Got no place for laying all my grief to rest.
Say farewell, my grieving,
Say farewell.
If I had wings, like some kinda dove,
I'd be reunited with the one I love.
I'd be reunited, I'd fly away
Into the evening and the cool of day
And say farewell, to this prison,
Fare thee well.
For there's a man who's long and tall,
Moves his body like a cannonball,
Moves his body up close to mine.
That's when I'll know it's gonna all be fine
I'll say farewell, to our sorrows,
Fare thee well.
For there's a man who's strong and broad,
And his body's like the peace of God
And his body fits my arms so right,
And it's forever he's gonna hold me tight.
I'll say farewell, to our troubles,
Fare thee well.
And there's a river that calls my name.
And there's a journey I'm gonna make again.
And there's a journey that waits for me,
That's how I'm knowin that I'm gonna be free
To say farewell, to my sorrows,
Fare thee well.
Some bright morning, before too long,
You'll come a callin, and find me gone.
You'll come a callin, and call in vain.
I'll be on the river, where I'll remain
And say farewell, to my troubles,
Fare thee well.
Sure as a bird, flies high above,
Life ain't worth living without the one you love.
Ain't worth the living, but it's a fear to die
With so many troubles still to bid goodbye.
So farewell, all my troubles,
Fare thee well.