Claudius at Yom Kippur
My words fly up, my thoughts remain below
Before Cantor Kornfeld and Rabbi Strauss
My father told me that I had to go
I have my doubts, where others seem to know
I am the infidel, still facing south
My words fly up, my thoughts remain below
I’ve been forewarned: We reap all that we sow
Why am I here? No songs come to my mouth
My father told me that I had to go
My stomach growls, like all those in my row
The aging daveners, the restless youth
My words fly up. My thoughts remain below.
We sing Kol Nidre, those above, below
Might find it holy, others quite uncouth
My father told me that I had to go
This rocking motion moves me to and fro
To soothe the sinner and the angel both
My father told me that I had to go
My words fly up– Why are my thoughts below?