The road lies ahead, so far away from home
The autumn moon is calling and the stars begin to roam
The mountains loom ever closer and the path grows ever steep
And I head onwards, for the night's no time to sleep

Where the road will lead me, no one can say
Not even the wind has power over fate
But lead it here or lead it there, it beckons for me to start
How can you tell stories of what it does to your heart?

Alone in the wilderness, it tugs at your soul
When you breathe mountain air, how can you still be whole?
Your heart spreads out to nature and greets it without hold
Bring sadness and joy at once, so let your mind unfold

Who else trod this path so long before I?
Who else has stood under this part of the sky?
What happened here, that the bark is worn off that tree?
What spirits still belong here, that I cannot yet see?

Perhaps a bear cub was left to tread over the loam
Maybe a Cherokee died fighting for his home
Perhaps a traveler stopped here to find shade
Or maybe no one's walked here since the woods were made

The autumn moon is calling, and the wild path winds
Hurry, watch it's tumbling, or be left far behind
A wolf cry in the distance summons night along
And my heart is close to breaking at his slow, mournful song

The autumn moon is calling, calling me ahead
There's no time to stop and no time to bed
I'm going to be a vagabond for a night and day
And hope to the heavens that adventure looks my way

The autumn moon is calling, and it plays with my heart
A wanderer does not choose the path when he departs
He follows the nightly lights to find where he belongs
But in truth, he's found it on the path he walks along

To stretch over an overhang, miles from the ground
Is one of the earth's greatest pleasures to be found
The golden leaves are falling from the vastness of the night
And stars are my candles in this world without light

Above the clouds, travelers find shelter from the rain
Where did the worn wanderer find his peace again?
How could you ask for more than the earth as a boon?
Lead it here or lead it there, I'll heed the call of the autumn moon

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28 September 2004