Third of May / Ōdaigahara lyrics

Light ended the night, but the song remained

and I was hiding by the stair, 

half here, half there, past the lashing rain.

And as the sky[e]1 would petal white / pedal wide,2

old innocent lies came to mind

as we stood, congregated, at the firing line.

Night ended the fight, but the song remained

so I headed to the wall,

turned tail to call to the new domain.

As if in the sight of sea, 

you're suddenly free, but it's all the same.

Oh, but I can hear you, loud in the center.

Aren't we made to be crowded together

like leaves?

Was I too slow? 

Did you change overnight?

Second son, on the other line...

Now, back in our town, as a castaway

I'm reminded of the time

it all fell in line on the third of May

as if it were designed, 

painted in sand to be washed away.

Oh, but I can hear you, loud in the center.

Aren't we made to be crowded together

like leaves?

Was I too slow? 

Did I change overnight?

Second son, for the second time...

Can I be light and free?

If I lead you through the fury, will you call to me?

And is all that I might owe you carved on ivory?

But all will fade, all I say, all I needed.

As a flash in the eye, I wouldn't deny, all receded.

Life unfolds in pools of gold.

I am only owed this shape if I make a line to hold.

To be held within one's self is deathlike, oh, I know.

But all will be, for mine and me, as we make it

and the size of the fray can't take it away,

they won't make it.

I was a fool,

crime after crime to confess to.

But I hold the fleet angel, she'll bless you.

Hold fast to the wing,

hold fast to the wing.

[It ended in Japan]3

1. This alternate spelling is exactly how the lyrics are written in the lyric booklet.2. This is written exactly as it appears in the lyric booklet, which likely means that both meanings of the words are meant even though they only say one set and there's no difference between the sound of the words when spoken.3. These are not spoken/sung words, but are part of the official lyrics from the lyric booklet. This album tells a story, so these function like scene headings in a screenplay and give additional information and context to the lyrics. This song is a continuation of "Kept Woman" and the story is continued in the next song, "If You Need To, Keep Time On Me."