The Pale Horse

 credit to Pennsylvania artist Benjamin West's rendering of Death Rides a Pale Horse & to Peter Gabriel for lyrical inspiration

Death rides a Pale Horse,

or so it's been said

Though none know for certain,

except for the dead

The outdated metaphor

for post industrial age

This steed has been blindered

and placed in a cage

A mere horse could not carry

all the killing required

So the rider dismounted

and the ride is retired

There are no green paddocks

where he is put out to stud,

for the Pale Horse is sterile;

his seed is a dud

So he lives out his last days,

where he's feeling no pain

Death rides not a Pale Horse

No, I'm sure it's a train

His four legs still willing

to carry Death's charge,

but the saddle a burden

that's grown much too large

Death has a mission

that none shall impinge

If not on a Pale Horse

then by the syringe

Death will ride still,

for what the Pale Horse may lack,

is easily delivered

by a train on a track

So heed well, friend, at crossings

Again the refrain

Death rides not a Pale Horse

No, I'm sure it's a train