Shawn Phillips singing The Ballad Of Casey Deiss recorded on his album Second Contribution released, 1970.

"The Texas-born singer/songwriter was called "The best kept secret in the music business," by the late rock impresario Bill Graham.

Beginning in the 1960s, Phillips made noteworthy contributions to popular music. As a session player he contributed to several Donovan LPs including Fairytale, Sunshine Superman and Mellow Yellow[4], performed at the Isle of Wight festival in front of half a million people, sang on the Beatles' "Lovely Rita (Meter Maid)" song, and was cast to play the lead in the original production of Jesus Christ Superstar (he had to withdraw due to his heavy recording and touring schedule."(Wiki)

This is a true story.

Twas a man of youthful features
Twas a boy of sorrowful eyes
Watching out but looking inward
Tall and stately and full of life

In his life he spoke but rarely
In his mind he cried for light
Painting perceptions trying to capture
That which he saw in his questioning strife

Once in Lisbon, twice in London
Travelling around for all of his time
Looking for and finding a goddess
He took Diana to be his wife

Of the children they'd begotten
Two had died without knowing life
And the third I know not whereof
But if she lives, she will yet be kind

Casey had a mark of simple value
He had a star between his eyes
In his hands he held an axe blade
The Greek symbol of thunder and fire

On a night when the heavens were crying
He went down and took his blade
Chopping wood to warm his hearthside
The lightning came and my brother died

Bring him no wine from faraway vineyards
Tell him no tales of the canyon's might
But wish him peace and eternal wisdom
For he has died and he died in light



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