One day I was walking
and stepped off the path,
did something I thought
would be only a laugh.
It was just as enticing
as what I’d been shown,
but the earth soon gave way
and I fell like a stone.
Lord of the universe,
throw me a rope!
Help me climb up
this impossible slope,
For the sides are so slippery
the walls are so steep,
this hole is so dark
and I’m buried so deep.
This pit holds no water
I see it all now.
And I want to get out
but the question is, how?
How can one escape
from the scorpions and snakes?
Can a man be held captive
until his mind breaks?
Lord of the universe,
throw me a rope!
Give me a handhold
at which I can grope,
for the struggle’s so hard
and each time I still stumble,
tried climbing the sides
but my end is to tumble.
The world outside beckons –
a circle of light,
but I’m still stuck down here
in the midst of the night
What am I doing?
And why have I not
been attempting to break free
with all that I’ve got?
Lord of the universe,
throw me a rope!
For I’m finding it harder and harder
to cope,
so afraid I’ll be trapped here
decaying for ever,
that if I ask when I’ll be
free, I’ll hear, “Never.”
And I’m speaking with others
as if from behind
a pane of thick glass
which is fogging my mind.
But I have to escape here
for everyone’s sake!
I may be asleep
but my heart is awake!
Lord of the universe,
throw me a rope!
Embrace me and hold me
remind me there’s hope,
raise me up from this pit
filled with darkness and strife,
that I may walk away
with a new lease on life.
