(lyrics by James Seals; music by James Seals and Dash Crofts, 1975)
From the album I'LL PLAY FOR YOU (1975).
Oh my Wayland, there's deer in the forests and rivers are flowing just for you.
Oh my father, look down through the mountains and valleys, the grain's in the silo.
All for you.
One fine morning, as Dad was walking, just to see what he could see.
He spied, a little white rabbit. He was frozen as solid as he could be.
And Dad cried, as he knelt down beside him. He asked God, "How could you be so cruel?"
And his heart broke, for the little white rabbit. "But you see that the owl
Would never have been so gentle,
And God is so kind."
I love Wayland 'cause he's strong. And I love him 'cause he's weak.
And the rabbit is running within him.
Oh my Wayland, the children are waiting and berries are ripe down below the hill.
Oh, my father, the shadows of nighttime can't touch you.
Immortal go quickly, be thankful the water is cool.
Drink your fill.
Today as I walked 'long beside him, I said, "Dad why do you look so sad?"
He turned as he stood by the doorway, he said, "Things are not like they used to be."
I smiled, as if I could teach him. I said "Dad, it's mercy in disguise.
Once you told of a little white rabbit, and you said that the owl would never have been so gentle, and God is so kind."
And I love you 'cause you're strong. And I love you 'cause you're weak.
And the rabbit is running within me.