The last deacon of Rome

Legends and myths have been the subject of storytellers throughout all of human history. St. Lawrence the Deacon's tale is of no exception. The saint's epic has been told again and again across the centuries. Though his legacy has faded from the popular culture, I revive it here in the form of a ballad, THE LAST DEACON OF ROME. By poring over both contemporary and ancient accounts of the deacon, I bring to life his death. The ballad honors the saint and paints his martyrdom as a sign of hope for all generations.