When I was just a young man
and lived in Bethlehem
I craved a setting bold, grand,
alive – Jerusalem!

I left the town of David;
the city wasn’t far.
I thought the Temple splendid,
the town a grand bazaar.

I thought “How true to my luck”
that soon as I had gone
from east there came a show such
as few had come upon.

And then King Herod’s army
was marched into the town.
They wrote a bloody history
by cutting children down.

It’s power, glory, mystery,
to soar above the heights,
to be a part of history
that I’ve sought all my life.

Jerusalem was central
to those of Israel
but life was uneventful,
its glory old and pale.

Now boats and men from far lands
sailed into Antioch.
And those who walked in its sands
would know what’s new, what’s hot.

I left the Holy City
one year at Pentecost
with pilgrims hot and gritty,
yet happier than most.

They spoke of dead men rising,
of ghosts that came on wind.
I mused about my missing
encountering their friend.

It’s power, glory, mystery,
to soar above the heights,
to be a part of history
that I’ve sought all my life.

Well, Antioch was booming
but not so much as Rome.
I soon found myself fuming
to make that city home.

I left the sandy seashore
and sailed for Seven Hills.
This time I knew I was sure
and Rome my thoughts did fill.

Some on the boat were sailing
to Cypress and to Crete.
The tale that they were telling
seemed strange, beyond belief.

A ranting man from Tarsus
spoke of a group of Jews,
said one had come to reach us,
no matter what our views.

It’s power, glory, mystery,
to soar above the heights,
to be a part of history
that I’ve sought all my life.

And now I am an old man,
a denizen of Rome,
I earn what little I can
but still my mind does roam.

My work is guarding prisoners
and one’s a man I’ve known.
We once were fellow travelers,
for Paul has come to Rome.

The ranting now makes more sense,
but maybe it’s just me.
He speaks of love, repentance,
of peace that makes men free.

It seems that I was looking
for what I failed to see,
that miracles were breaking;
that history called to me.

It’s power, glory, mystery,
to soar above the heights,
that God’s brought into history.
God’s sought me all my life.