FIRST AND LAST MAN    

Ralph McTell

I am your noble savage, but to me I am a man, 
The father of my sons, the server of my woman. 
 
I have made my bow, I take only what I need, 
I am the maker of fire, and the planter of seed. 
 
I have learned an order in things, and I teach my children 
For each seed a star, to each son a generation. 
 
I have no time for freedom, barefoot I run on the forest leaves. 
There is pain in birth, but for the dead I do not grieve. 
 
I have cut marks on my body, there is beauty in pain 
There is sadness in joy, like death and the sunset. 
 
I am the willing heathen, I worship everything. 
I will add new words to my language but write them on the wind. 

I am the maker of music, and the reader of the heavens. 
I am the worker of magic, and the fearer of storms. 

I am the writer in sand. I am the first and last man. 
And if I could read the future, I would ask you not to come.