I wake the gods with my sullen boom--
I am the Drum!
They wait for the blood-red flowers that bloom
In the heart of the sacrifice, there in the gloom
With terror dumb--
I sound the call to his dreadful doom--
I am the Drum!
I was the Serpent, the Sacred Snake--
Wolf, bear and fox
By the silent shores of river and lake
Tread softly, listening lest they wake
My voice that mocks
The rattle that falling bones will make
On barren rocks.
My banded skin is the voice of the Priest--
I am the Drum!
I sound the call to the War-God's feast
Till Tezcatlipoca's power hath ceased
And the White Gods come
Out of the fire of the burning East--
Hear me, the Drum!
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