Factory of Magnificent Souls

Thought of you on this island of the leper
On this island of the mad
I’ve thought of you on this island of the outcast
On this island of the sick and sad
Thought this island had a tragic holiness
Thought it had a painful grace
Thought it had the ugliest history
Thought this island was the most beautiful place
And I saw the altar of this world’s cruelty
I saw the stadium of the devil’s goals
And I saw a man duck and weave the most evil punches
I saw a factory of magnificent souls
Thought of you on this island of the limestone
and the pain of dust torn eyes
Thought of you on this island of the convict
toiling under the bluest skies
Looked upon this island of the reconciled,
and I saw a stone-carved cross
Thought of you on this island of redemption
Closed my eyes and thought of what freedom had cost
And I saw the altar of this world’s cruelty
I saw the stadium of the devil’s goals
And I saw a man duck and weave the most evil punches
I saw a factory of magnificent souls
No one ever asked questions
with marks as sharp as these
They pierced the veins of Jesus,
who was one of the least of these
And no one ever gave an answer
with as gentle a word as this
You took violent indignation,
and you killed it with a political kiss
And I saw the altar of this world’s cruelty
I saw the stadium of the devil’s goals
And I saw a man duck and weave the most evil punches
I saw a factory of magnificent souls
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