I asked my father,
I said, "Father change my name."
The one I'm using now it's covered up
with fear and filth and cowardice and shame.
He said, "I locked you in this body,
I meant it as a kind of trial.
You can use it for a weapon,
or to make some woman smile."
"Then let me start again," I cried,
"please let me start again,
I want a face that's fair this time,
I want a spirit that is calm."
"I never never turned aside," he said,
"I never walked away.
It was you who built the temple,
it was you who covered up my face."
And may the spirit of this song,
may it rise up pure and free.
May it be a shield for you,
a shield against the enemy.