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Temple in the Path of Xerxes

by Don Whitaker

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about

Temple in the Path of Xerxes

The song is set in 5th century BCE Greece, where a landowner learns the Persian invader Xerxes is nearing his property with a large, murderous army. He quickly sends his wife, children, brother and slaves to the safety of the shore, and resolves to make a suicidal stand with his small guard of mercenaries. The night before the battle, he stands, during a thunderstorm, in the small temple he built on his property, contemplating his gods – why does a man decide to stand and fight, when the very gods have fled this place?

lyrics

Verse 1
Stone frigid columns, pungent fumes, incense burning,
biting breeze penetrates the acute night outside,
pillars clammy, expressing my fear from learning
invaders coming tomorrow for genocide.

Chorus
My children are safe at the coast,
their mother spirited them down,
with the slaves, my brother, and most;
she left my sword . . . . but not her gown.

Verse 2
Wind easily dispels incense and sacred smoke,
I understand our gods have also left this place,
perhaps they too are at the shore, beaten and broke
into human pieces of themselves and our race.

Chorus
Why does a man stand firm after
the very gods fled far from this place?
I’ll always rail from the rafters,
look unyielding fate in the face.

Verse 3
Is the nature of gods to dissipate at whim?
So man must stand while the gods are only smoke
for the awe of future generations, brave him
who does not flee, but is privy to the old joke.

Chorus
My children are safe at the coast,
their mother spirited them down,
with the slaves, my brother, and most;
she left my sword . . . . but not her gown.

Instrumental

Verse 4

I cannot imagine this place without myself,
but it’s better to believe in man than these cults,
for any man can readily complete himself,
while the gods can only cry at their results.

You know it’s coming.

You know it’s coming.

God, you know it’s coming.

Artist’s note:
Xerxes I (circa 519 – 465 BCE), was a king of Persia. To punish the Greeks for their victory over the Persians at Marathon in 490 BCE, he invaded Greece, his vast army penetrating to Thrace, Thessaly, and Locris. Three hundred Spartans made a courageous but suicidal stand at Thermopylae; after ten days Xerxes broke through, and eventually burned Athens. Returning to Asia, Xerxes so disgusted his subjects with his debauchery that he was at last murdered by the captain of his own palace guard.

credits

released June 15, 2015
Lryics: Ward Kelley

license

all rights reserved

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about

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Don Whitaker Greencastle, Indiana

His first introduction to performing occurred at age six, when he found himself standing atop bars at local VFWs to sing covers – his efforts adding to Don’s stash of quarters for his pinball fascination. Don has been playing professionally since the age of 15, appearing in the horn section of the touring band, Morning Star, while also taking his turn at the mic as a young singer. ... more

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