wheelchair distribution
Originally uploaded by kosova cajun

The Banquet at the World's End

Today I was blessed to help with the distribution of wheelchairs to handicapped people from the villages of Batincë, Moranë, and Studeniçan. The experience brought forcefully to mind an old Daniel Amos song, "The Banquet at the World's End". This song is a favorite of mine because it has helped me to see a very familiar story with fresh eyes. The story I'm talking about is one Jesus told. You can find it in the Bible in Luke 14:15-24. Here are the lyrics:

The beautiful people, all send their excuses:
(Real estate and sex lives, livestock and ex-wives)

But the poor are coming, the lame are running
In their sleazy clothes and orthopedic shoes
There's a harelip spokesman shouting out the news

"Come to the banquet at the world's end!"

There's a string ensemble, and the King's court jester
Telling parables and big jokes, to mongoloids and old folks

The blind are seeing, the dead are breathing
And the mummies dance in geriatric style
The amputees are rolling down the aisles

"Come to the banquet at the world's end!"

Candlelight and party hats, duck and pheasant under glass
Aluminum walkers, thin white canes, caviar and pink champagne
The bride and the groom waltz on
Club foot lane at the banquet at the world's end
The banquet at the world's end
The banquet at the world's end

Say the beautiful people (the poor are coming)
"We'll live with the lights out (the lame are running)
Leave us alone now because (the blind are seeing)
Hell feels like home now" (the dead are breathing)

Meanwhile...

But the poor are coming, the lame are running
In their sleazy clothes and orthopedic shoes
There's a harelip spokesman shouting out the news

"Come to the banquet at the world's end!"
"Come to the banquet at the world's end!"
"Come to the banquet at the world's end!"

The words and music are by Terry Taylor. The song appeared on the Daniel Amos album MotorCycle.