Gatekeeper

Ty says…

When I was researching the mythology and the symbolism of the Egyptian Sphinx, one of the aspects that stood out strongly was that they were guardians of sacred spaces. Sphinxes from other cultures held similar responsibilities, whether they were hostile to men or simply neutral. And all of us, in some way, have something holy and precious to protect, including ourselves.

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lyrics

tread carefully, little soft-skinned creature
for you stand on the edge
of the lands of the gods
and this is my territory to keep

you fear my name; i dare you to trust it
calm your caged little heart
open your blinded eyes
come before the sphinx in the shadows
and cower from the sphinx in the shadows

the air is still here, the soil sacred,
if you can hold your breath
you can bide, liminal,
but don’t poison the water with your tears

you fear my name; i dare you to trust it
calm your fast-beating heart
open your frightened eyes
come before the sphinx in the shadows
and cower from the sphinx in the shadows

i ask no riddles, i demand no blood
my face is no pharaoh
my crown is no cobra
but still i patrol these holy spaces

you know my name; i dare you to say it
calm your fluttering heart
open your startled eyes
come before the sphinx in the shadows
and stand before the sphinx in the shadows

what you see is a lie; we aren’t here
i am in your nightmare
i am part of your dream
i am gatekeeper; come open the door

you know my name; i dare you to say it
hear your once-guarded heart
look with your daring eyes
come before the sphinx in the shadows
and stand before the sphinx in the shadows

i am inside your head; i’m nowhere
i am your link to strength
i am your wings to dive
come try, i dare you– i’ll teach you to live

you want my name; i dare you to take it
hear your free-feeling heart
look with your knife-keen eyes
come before the sphinx in the shadows
and stand before the sphinx in the shadows

human mind, lion strength, snake wisdom
white feathers, golden fur,
dark skin, copper scales
i am the echo of your soul

you want my name; i dare you to take it
hear your strong drumming heart
look with your seeking eyes
come before the sphinx in the shadows

and you love my name; i hear you scream it
feel your fierce feral heart
stare with your wild eyes
reach for the sphinx in the shadows
and now become the sphinx in the shadows