Lessley

Once there was a Ship of Stone 
  That orbited a mighty Star 
  And from it flew the First Ship's crew 
  Whose children we all are 

  And no matter how long we've drawn our track 
  Still over our shoulder looking back 
  Through the hydrogen's hiss and the methane's moan 
  Past the polymer clouds of the Dead Stars' shrouds 
  All our roads run back to the Ship of Stone 


  There the First Crew all were made 
  And wakened from unknowing sleep 
  By the boundless sight of Heaven's height 
  And the fires of the Deep 

  And no matter how strange the forms we wear 
  How warped and wild, how rich and rare 
  How changed we've made the seed we've sown 
  We are blood of those who, singing, rose 
  From the body of the Ship of Stone 


  And there our own ships' frames were formed 
  To grow blue-glowing wings 
  And spread them wide to the farthest tide 
  Where the last lone beacon sings 

  And no matter how tight the net they knot 
  Of our web where the Wheel of Light is caught 
  How strange and lost, how grand they've grown 
  They, too, desire all Heaven's fire 
  Our companions since the Ship of Stone 


  Once there was a Ship of Stone 
  Clear domed, broad hulled and clean 
  Where the air shown blue, through whose holds birds flew 
  And whose decks were growing green 

  And no matter how odd these things may seem 
  As madly mazed as shards of dream 
  They are not a dream that you dream alone 
  All ships, all men, are of one kin 
  We shall not forget the Ship of Stone.