“Soshin”

Composed by Luka Bloom

1 version

Lyrics

(Source: Between the Mountain and the Moon)

	The snow begins across the mountains,
	Covers the rice fields.
	Down below, a woman awakens.
	Her breath is frozen in the early morning,
	Out on the freezing streets.
	With bell and bowl she goes.
	People come to see the face,
	People come to feel the light
	Of an Irish girl.

	Everything in the world is new.
	Everybody I tell wants to know you,
	Soshin... Soshin...

	She washes noodles by the open window,
	Wet and soft between her fingers.
	The air of spring blows on her face
	And the moment is eternal.
	Maura sits in the dark womb-like stillness.
	She's thinking, "How can I die or cease to be?
	I am eternal; I am Roshi!"

	Everything in the world is new.
	Everybody I tell wants to know you,
	Soshin... Soshin...

	She may not change a blade of grass,
	Nor light the flame for souls to see,
	But in this silent Easter morning,
	She has found a friend in me.

	An Irish girl.

Notes

Liner notes

Dedicated to Maura O'Halloran

(Source: Between the Mountain and the Moon)

With bell and bowl she goes:

A reference to Buddhist monks' practice of going house to house asking for food.

Roshi:

a Buddhist honorific title bestowed on one who has mastered the Dharma.

Maura:

a Christian Zen monk (1955-1982). Her nickname was "Soshin."

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