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Absalom Pt. 2

from Only Human by Sam Steffen

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II Samuel 13:30-18:33

lyrics

When Amnon’s life was smothered out, Absalom to his horse did take
For he knew that when his deed was known, he’d be the enemy of the state
And so began his long career as a fugitive and a refugee
Wherein he learned a thing or two about how common people lived.
And as he roamed from town to town and shared the campfires of the poor
He more than once revealed his tale and made his royal bloodlines known.
In time he gained some confidence, and did a reputation earn
For seeming just as fit to rule as, if not moreso than the king.
And into his mind there came a thought, which he did often speak aloud
“I wish my father wasn’t king—would that it had been me instead!”
When David did receive the news, bitter and angry did he turn
But no penalty would he dole, for Absalom was yet his son.
So David stood before his throng and asked the crowds that he could see
“Who among you would challenge me?”—the reply returned resoundingly:
Absalom!—what else is there now to discuss?
Absalom!—he has won the hearts of all of us!

And so it came that Absalom conspired to overtake the throne
He raised an army of good men, it numbered many thousand strong.
When David did receive the news, a sadness overwhelmed his heart—
For though he’d been to war before, he’d not yet fought a son he loved.
So when the day of battle came, the King gave the orders to his men:
“though treacherous, my son is mine—if captured, please do spare his life.”
And as his men prepared to ride, King David said, “I will go, too.”
But Joab, David’s right-hand-man, replied, “No such thing shall you do.”
And forth both armies rode that day, their conflicts to resolve with war
and both sides suffered massive loss—twenty thousand died in all.
And Absalom among them died, his life concluding in this way:
As he was riding through the woods, he was clotheslined by an oak-tree branch
And tween the earth and sky he hung, for some while struggling to get loose
When upon his dangling form, rode Joab, David’s right-hand-man.
And as the men of David’s force recalled to him the oath they made
Joab recounted all the slain, and said “—with this man’s life a debt is paid!”
And saying so he took three spears and stabbed them through the young man’s chest
and in this way was slain the son their beloved king had loved the best.
Then Joab sent two messengers back home to tell the tale world-wide
The first, that they had won the war, the second, that Absalom had died.
And all the people cheered with joy to know there had been victory
But David simply hung his head and wept bitter tears of misery
“What’s the cheering of ten thousand strong? What’s all the joy of battles won?
Compared to this deep grief I feel to be deprived of my beloved son?
Absalom!—my son, my son! My son is dead!
Absalom!—would it had been me instead!”

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from Only Human, released March 7, 2019

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Sam Steffen Boise, Idaho

Sam Steffen is a Pennsylvania-bred, Boise-based singer-songwriter whose songs are the torch-wood for a new generation of folk music that has learned from the best stuff in the tradition and aims in spite of everything to keep the human spirit alive and kicking. A versatile musician and skilled finger-picker, Sam is at heart a story-teller, and a prolific one. ... more

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