Because the strangest things happen in the desert
You never know just what is coming next
So many changes happen in the desert
Sometimes it feels like one big endless test
I said the strangest things happen in the desert
That’s why they call it G-d’s great sacred nest
So many dangers can happen in the desert
Sometimes the Nile beckons me to regress
It started very promising it started very nice
The tribes arranged in their formations: map says three days to get to Canaan camped at the base of this here Sinai
Complaints began as murmuring but G-d heard every word
G-d's wounded anger was a fire and a lot of us got burned
But that just fed a vicious cycle and we lusted after meat
Rememberin’ all the food in Egypt where we gorged ourselves for free
Leeks, melons, garlic, onions, cucumbers and things that you could chew
All the manna that G-d gave us was like bird food crossed with tofu
But still, when we woke up in the morning, we would find it with the dew.
Yeah, okay, that was pretty cool
It didn’t stem the angry crowd that drove Moses to the brink
He said to G-d, "I’m not their Mommy," G-d said "Shut up let me think."
Moses strides on past their tents, families weeping where they stand
He said, "G-d please kill me now" -- G-d said "hey, here’s the plan"
Tell them, flesh is what you want? You’ll have enough to fill your throats
I’ll rain down birds for 30 days until they’re bleeding out your nose
This freedom I have given you is free:
GIVE IT A TRY
Of course we gathered up the poultry and we heaped it into piles
While the mouths of all us simpletons were watering in tents
Joshua tried to stop two prophets who he thought were too intense
But Moses said, What, are you jealous? Let the prophesy abide
And as we lifted up our drumsticks by the thousands we expired
And I was one of them that died.
He called the place Grave of Desire.
As a post-script let me add a little something I observed
While my soul hovered ‘bove the desert this was heard
Moses’ brother and his sister, hardly candidates for strife
Had gathered up a little nerve and come to mock his choice of wife
They said "what’s with this foreigner we have to marry Jews"
They said, "You think that you’re so special, hey now G-d talks to us, too"
G-d descended in a cloud; the divine anger was unbiased
Told them only G-d makes prophets and that Moses is the highest
When left, Miriam saw her skin had turned a ghostly white
Aaron rushed to say he’s sorry, Moses prayed her not to die
And she was kicked out of the camp to heal and think for seven days
That’s how it goes here in the desert, even sisters have to pay
That’s where our weekly story stays
Because the strangest things happen in the desert
You never know just what is coming next
So many changes that happen in the desert
Sometimes it feels like one big endless test
I said the strangest things happen in the desert
That’s why they call it G-d’s great sacred nest
So many dangers can happen in the desert
Sometimes the Nile beckons me to regress
Back to the G-dcast for Beha'alotcha