Lyrics The Silver Window - Daniel Kahn, the Painted Bird

The Silver Window

A wealthy merchant sought the wisdom of the Baal Shem Tov
Longing to be granted entry to the holy grove
Many mountains, many cities, over land and foam
Did this man of plenty travel from his splendid home
And when he reached the dwelling of this holiest of men
He kneeled before the Besht with gold and silver in his hand
The wise man led him to the window, showed him all the world
There before the wealthy man the human scene unfurled
Poor souls floated under clothing, walking on their way
Each a dream that dies in waking, each a night that dies in day
Then the window was a mirror, blocking out the sky
Showing nothing to the merchant but the merchant’s eye
«Tell me sir, the wise man questioned, what the difference be
Twixt the window and the mirror into which you see?
Only silver, only silver coats the glass behind
Though the pane may be the same the silver makes you blind
Seek the world but seek it clearly free your soul from sin
Wealth will surely but reveal your poverty within
Break the mirror, melt the silver, give your gold away
Let your dream begin in waking, let the night be born in day»