Goodbye - A Paper Muse

I wrote this song upon request for the changing of the Guard, when Baron Fum stepped down and left the MidRealm for points East.

by Andrew Blackwood MacBaine the Purple
©1996 Andrew Nicholson

we have come here now because you’re leaving soon to go away
and we could not pass this chance up now to spend some time and play,
for the world without you here will be a pale and quiet place —
without all the smiles and laughter that were always on your face.

now it’s time for your long voyage, time to walk slow down the road,
we will take up your old burdens as you carry your new load.
see lost lovers and new brothers disappear beneath the sky…
though the journey’s dark and dangerous, we will not say goodbye.

you have labored long beside us and your timeís been full and glad,
when the world has dealt us sorrow youíve helped us to not be sad.
so we gather one last time to celebrate your place with us —
bright and laughing, for we will not contemplate our coming loss.

long farewells are hard to handle, short goodbyes are all too brief,
but we could not let you steal into the night, a common thief.
you’re a brother and a father and a lover and a friend;
and you’ll always have a place with us, where eíer the fates you send.

now we’ll gather round and raise a glass in this a final toast
and when years have passed we’ll tell grandchildren of our greatest boast;
of the days when birds sang symphonies and all love was love true —
and we’ll tell about when we were young and strong and we knew you.

so we’ve all come here to tell you, may the winds be at your back,
when you leave weíll all sit quietly reflecting on the lack..
and when you return, weíll go and light the torch and ring the bell —
but for now we will not say goodbye, weíll say instead farewell.