Filled with the sun's bright rays, I dreamt in the shelter of the vines But hands the colour of bronze distracted me from my dreams A breeze came from the sea, humming an ancient tune As I was filled into baskets and carried down the hillside
Barely visible under its load, the donkey clacked along the cobbles Carrying me into a celebrating town With a prayer the priest bore me to the altar And poured holy water over my amber flesh
Olela, a miracle, sweet Mary! Olela, a miracle, St. Sebastian!
Then they pored me into a vat large as a ship And danced upon me, pressing down on my amber flesh Tearing, killing my beautiful flesh Under the dancers' feet my life was crushed And my amber blood bubbled out in a river and spilt over the edge
Oh, what torture, sweet Mary! Oh, what suffering, St. Sebastian!
Freed from my flesh I came forth for judgement And my spirit, set afire in blood, Was sealed in a vessel Over years in a stone basement Under a monastery's stone wall My amber blood Turned to ice and fire
Years without light, sweet Mary! Years in darkness, St. Sebastian!
Opening the gates of sunset The basement was entered By two shining prelates Who bowed very low
Thunder rings from the bell-tower As into the cup of light is spilt And raised up over the altar The pure blood of Christ Those who mourn and those who've wandered I invite to this feast I am one in union With the one who created this world Overflowing with love It shines from the altar The cup with the true blood Blood the colour of amber
What joy, sweet Mary! What pleasure, St. Sebastian!