I Do Not Know Its Name Lyrics - Before & After - Carrie Newcomer

He leaned and whispered as he turned the page 

And he said "Make yourself into a flame" 

A crazy old lion with his hair all backlit 

Grinnin' like a little boy who has a secret 

I do not know its name 

Though it's ever intertwining 

And I believe it must look like an old man shining 

We were eating summer peaches by a roadside stand 

Juice running down like laughter on our chin and on our hands 

When we were done we looked around and smiled at each other 

And you said, 'Come on Carrie, let's have another" 

I do not know its name 

No matter how I try 

But I think it must taste like peaches eaten by the roadside 

He drove a rental car shuttle to the airport on Sundays 

We chatted that gray morning 'bout the choir he sang with Wednesdays 

He sang a haunting gospel hymn shameless and clear 

With only me a wandering stranger sitting there to hear 

I do not know its name 

Elusive and subtle 

But I believe it must sound like that man singing in the shuttle 

Standing in the river barefoot in the current 

I hear a bird call and try to learn it 

The water is a wonder, it's cold and fast and deep 

I saw fish go swimming out too far for me to reach 

I do not know its name 

Swimmer or watcher 

But I believe that there is always something 

Moving beneath the water 

If holy is a sphere that cannot be rendered 

There is no middle place because all of it is center 

I do not know its name 

I do not know its name 

I do not know its name