The Canyon Black
The Meaning Behind the Music
Vocals and Lyrics by Maria Hathaway
Music by Chas Hathaway
The Canyon Black is an
abridgment of the poem, “The Valley of the Canyon Black,” by
Maria Hathaway. The poem is a parable of the Cain and Abel story.
(The song is abridged, but the words to the original poem are written out in full here.)
The Valley of the Canyon Black
by Maria Hathaway
Where the road follows the path of the stream
dividing the valley with one great seem
there cottonwoods in sunlight gleam
a morning wakes from twilight’s dream
in the Valley of the Canyon Black
Follow this road of dusty cloud
with rocks and boulders well endowed
to find a path in scrub oak shroud
that leads to the Canyon Black
The wind that ripples an ocean of sage
and bends the trees that moan with age
holds a secret within it’s rage
like a story that’s lost in a torn up page
of the Valley of the Canyon Black
Keep the wind strong behind
for thus the tail will soon unwind
the path becomes a twisting vine
of quaking aspens and emerald pine
climbing the Canyon Black
A cougar track now marks the sight
velvet grass and daisies white
sparkling brooks on either side
of the meadow of the Canyon Black
In years gone by two houses stood
built of trees from nearby wood
by men who shared their mother’s blood
her only sons, a gift from God
to the valley of the Canyon Black
One was fair with eyes as blue
as morning glory’s silken hue
touched with first light’s crystal dew
in the meadow of the Canyon Black
His cedar hair with cheerful ease
curled and danced on slightest breeze
his honest heart with aim to please
resonated purest peace
through the valley of the Canyon Black
A flute he carved from ancient willow
it’s haunting song was low and mellow
penetrating to the marrow
the soul of the Canyon Black
The elder brother, lean and tall
with hair like leaves in crimson fall
and eyes that glinted green and small
always watching, seeing all
that moved in the Canyon Black
All his thought he freely gave
to that which held his heart a slave
for it was greatness he did crave
over all in the Canyon Black
And so his mind began to long
to overpower his brother’s song
his flute was straight, his fingers strong
but everything he played was wrong
for the Valley of the Canyon Black
In envy’s senseless rage he dwelt
watching as his brother knelt
drawing from his leather belt
his flute in the Canyon Black
Through glinting eyes and anger’s tears
the elder watched the forest near
tremble with pleasure, a silent cheer
for what it knew it soon would hear
soothing the Canyon Black
And then the younger unaware
raised his flute without a care
and from his lips blew purest air
breathed in the Canyon Black
Like smoke that curls on mountain breeze
music wrapped around the trees
shivering though the Aspen leaves
the melody of river reeds
the song of the Canyon Black
The elder brother’s eyes grew narrow
from his quiver he drew an arrow
he fitted it gently into his bow
and aimed in the Canyon Black
With a coldness born of unbound hate
he loosed the arrow and sealed the fate
he couldn’t stop, it was too late
silence fell in mighty quake
on the Valley of the Canyon Black
The flute fell from the young man’s grasp
his blood soaked shirt he gently clasped
he tried to breath but only gasped
and coughed in the Canyon Black
He turned his head and in a daze
met his brother’s awful gaze
thus his spirit passed away
leaving only bones to lay
in the shadows of the Canyon Black
The silence of the broken song
screamed to all of hidden wrong
so ere the breaking of the dawn
the murderer fled the Canyon Black
And so he left this bitter land
of weeping willows old and grand
of thistles waving in golden sand
to indian paintbrush with violet hand
hushed in the Canyon Black
Through the years the trees have grown
their ancient trunks as hard as stone
watching o’er their mountain home
guardians of the Canyon Black
Now when you enter this silent wood
you feel as though you’re understood
by souls who’ve seen both bad and good
watching all who ever should
visit the Canyon Black
And sometimes when the air is clear
when morning glories blossom near
a touch of music you can hear
in the Valley of the Canyon Black