Cork in the Wine (Bottle of Wine, Tom Paxton)

"Think of this wine as what you keep calling Hell. There's many other names for it too: malevolence, evil, darkness. And here it is, swirling around in the bottle, unable to get out because if it did, it would spread. The cork is this Island, and it's the only thing keeping the darkness where it belongs."
- Jacob, Ab Aeterno

Jacob provided an intriguing metaphor for the relationship between him, the Island and Smokey in Ab Aeterno. Here I have him ruminate to Richard about the wine bottle to the tune of the Irish Rovers' Bottle of Wine.

Cork in the Wine

Cork in the wine helps to confine,
Helps to keep the evil from spreading.
If he should go, surely he’ll sow
Doom and despair where he’s heading.

This thing you call Hell, I know it well.
Yes, it’s a problem of mine.
How I have strained to keep darkness contained!
I must keep the cork in the wine.

Cork in the wine helps to confine,
Helps to keep the evil from spreading.
If he should go, surely he’ll sow
Doom and despair where he’s heading.

You come and you fight. You will never choose right.
That’s how he defines humankind.
It’s taking so long, but I will prove him wrong
While I keep the cork in the wine.

Cork in the wine helps to confine,
Helps to keep the evil from spreading.
If he should go, surely he’ll sow
Doom and despair where he’s heading. (2x)

Long as I’m here, my objective is clear.
It’s drudgery, yes, but that’s fine.
Though it’s been rough, I am patient enough,
So I’ll keep the cork in the wine.

Cork in the wine helps to confine,
Helps to keep the evil from spreading.
If he should go, surely he’ll sow
Doom and despair where he’s heading. (2x)

Bottle of Wine