BURNING CANDLES

Now cries the night aloud in need,
with unknown dread a-quake.
Now light I here two candles straight
for eternal darkness' sake.

If the Lord's angels pass by here,
the light will call to them,
then they will hear the flames sing my prayer,
and bear it with them home.

They are warriors who go in armour of fire
with word from the Almighty's house.
Their speech has no words for harsh and sweet.
but for burning candles it has.

That is why they stand on the storm's back
between the whipping wings' din,
that is why they smile at the darkness's power
and meet the cold with disdain.

O Lord my God, O terrible God,
Your mantle's roar booms free.
I pray for flowers and pray for peace -
but give burning candles to me!

For more information, please visit the website of David McDuff and his own pages with the translations.