A hymn inspired by 1 Samuel 8: 4 – 11, 16 – 20 for Second Sunday after Pentecost perhaps still pertinent? – The warning went unheeded…

A hymn inspired by 1 Samuel 8: 4 – 11, 16 – 20 
for Second Sunday after Pentecost perhaps still pertinent?

1	The warning went unheeded, 
	that power corrupts and fires 
	a need for domination, 
	that wealth and fear conspires 
	to elevate the powerful,
	to subjugate the poor, 
	that those who have most riches 
	will always look for more.
	
2	The people pleaded loudly, 
	'most nations have a king', 
	and reason would not change them 
	from wanting such a thing. 
	As history unfolded 
	they learnt, as if in youth,
	that kings are only human, 
	a long-forgotten truth.		
	
3	So Saul was soon anointed 
	and feted by his peers, 
	his reign was sometimes blighted, 
	brought hurt and pain and tears.
	That lesson we're still learning:
	that power blinds to need, 
	and wealth is hoarded, hidden,
	and selfishness a creed.

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2015 Stainer & Bell Ltd, London, England copyright@stainer.co.uk . Please include any reproduction for local church use on your CCL Licence returns. All wider and any commercial use requires prior application to Stainer & Bell Ltd
Metre: 7 6 7 6 D
Tune: AURELIA