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Lost Song

A compass that won’t point the way,
And a map of the faraway skies…

I once was a child of grace;
No matter the country I trod
My feet found the path in its place,
And they followed the way of the Lord.

Lord, I’m weary and sick in my bones
From this desolate wasteland I roam.
I followed a star,
Now I’m lost in the dark;
Please help me to find my way home.
Lord, I know I can’t do it alone.

I once was a child of light;
My eyes felt the radiant caress
Of the Lord, and they knew it was right,
And they followed its blessing to bless.

Lord, I’m weary and sick in my bones
From this desolate wasteland I roam.
I followed a star,
Now I’m lost in the dark;
Please help me to find my way home.
Lord, I know I can’t do it alone.
No…

Now I grope through the truth and the lies
With a compass that won’t point the way
And a map of the threatening skies
And a fast-fading memory of day.

I once was a child of God,
But I left to grow up into me.
Now the me that I’m growing is odd,
So I’m calling to You with this plea:

Lord, I’m weary and sick in my bones
From this desolate wasteland I roam.
I followed a star,
Now I’m lost in the dark;
Please help me to find my way home.
Lord, I know I can’t do it alone.

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Jack DesBois is a singer, actor, and storyteller. He gives annual Epiphany season performances of The Western Star, which he wrote in 2016. He self-published a chapbook of short poems in 2018. As a singer, Jack has had the good fortune to solo in several of the great works of Baroque Oratorio, including Handel’s Messiah (Bass) and Esther (Haman) and J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion (Jesus). Jack lives in Topsfield, Massachusetts. 

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10 Responses

  1. jd

    Lovely words and music to greet the day, Jack.
    Thank you and God bless!

    Reply
  2. Paul Freeman

    Very enjoyable- the musical rendition reminded me of early Cat Stevens.

    Reply
    • Jack DesBois

      Paul, Cat Stevens is a very heavy influence on my music, especially his early albums “Teaser and the Firecat” and “Tea for the Tillerman.” Your comparison is a great compliment!

      Reply
  3. Jeff Eardley

    Jack, I agree with Paul on the comparison with the great Cat Stevens. This is a great song with super vocals, and my favourite key of D. Very well done.

    Reply
  4. Margaret Coats

    “I left to grow up into me.” That inspired line speaks for all of us, Jack. Thanks for the words and music.

    Reply
    • Jack DesBois

      You’re welcome, Margaret. So much confusion and suffering in this world is due to the misguided instinct to leave God’s nest and go it alone. On a personal and a societal level: Jesus lamented that instinct in Jerusalem (Matt 23:37), as well as teaching its dangers (and God’s ever-ready forgiveness) in the Prodigal Son parable.

      Reply
  5. Yael

    Great song Jack and I really enjoy your delivery. Your voice has a smooth and soothing quality, without being overly sentimental or operatic, and I could listen to you sing for hours. Good job, you are a fine modern day bard.

    Reply
    • Jack DesBois

      Thanks Yael! That’s useful feedback for me moving forward. I recorded a few good takes when I was recording this song, and my mother helped me choose which one to share online. She chose this one because it was less sentimental than the others – more of a straightforward delivery without forcing the emotion – and it sounds like she chose right.

      Reply

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