The Ballad of the Gatekeeper

[Verse 1]

A jolly gatekeeper was tending his garden

A place where he felt the safest of all

And when folk walked past, he oft begged their pardon

‍
When their conversation would make him feel small

I can't get along in these new-fangled times

The children speak freely of what they shall be

It's hard to exist in a world that seems foreign

But foreign means not what I want it to be

‍
[Verse 2]
He was often approached but he scarce would listеn

His place was defined and his comfort sеcured

Groups of young people would walk past with caution

That misfear not beckon him inward at all

The gatekeeper said he preserves the tradition

"Well strangely enough we have the same goal"

Said a young woman from behind a thicket

Gatekeeper turned round stirred right to his soul

‍
[Verse 3]
"I'm interested in growin' and changin'"

The gatekeeper looked around scared and confused

"I thought I was helpin' by keepin' things samey"

‍
She put out her 'and but the gatekeeper refused

"You cannot defy that which defines us

We descend from and sing the songs that went before

You must let me carry the baton from here

It's in safe hands and we wish to know more"

[Verse4]
The gatekeeper looked down at how he was standin'
His legs were wide-stanced and his arms folded tight
He gasped at realisin' how he was uninvitin'
His eyes glistened over and then went bright
"I'm sorry me lass; but I wasn't able
To see that I was a-blockin'your way
I only ask that you balance the table
Collect, write, and sing till the end of the day"

[Verse 5]
The girl and those around 'er did share in these stories
Even uncoverin' some of their own
This tradition is delicate, our actions could 'ave meant
Destruction of something that brings us home

‍