Story Of Isaac (Live In Berlin, 1972)

This a song called "The Story Of Isaac"
And it's about those who would sacrifice one generation on behalf of another

Well, the door it opened slowly
My father he came in
I was nine years old
And he stood so tall above me

And his blue eyes they were shining
And his voice was very cold
Said: "I've had a vision"
"And you know I'm strong and holy

I must do what I've been told"
So we started up the mountain
I was running, he was walking
And his axe was made of burning gold

Well, the trees they got much smaller
Yes, the lake a lady's mirror
When we stopped to drink some wine
Then he threw the bottle over

Broke a minute later
And he put his hand on mine
Thought I saw an eagle
But it might have been a vulture

I never could decide
Then my father built an altar
He looked once behind his shoulder
I guess he knew I would not hide

You who build these altars now
To sacrifice our children
You must not do it anymore
A scheme is not a vision

And you never have been tempted
By a demon or a god
Who stand above them now
Your hatchets blunt and bloody

You were not there before
When I lay upon a mountain
And my father's hand was trembling
With the beauty, I mean the beauty of the word

And if you call me brother now
Forgive me but I must inquire
"Just according to whose plan?"
When it all comes down to dust

I will kill you if I must
I will help you if I can
When it all comes down to dust
I will help you if I must

Kill you if I can
And mercy, mercy on our uniform
Man of peace, man of war
The peacock spreads his deadly fan