The death of John the Baptist
1 Evil intention, skilful deception,
devious plotting, bent on revenge;
heart fired by hatred, John is not sacred,
see how Herodias seeks her revenge.
2 Then came the moment, see her opponent,
vulnerable prisoner, she’d seal his fate.
Dancing for Herod opened the scabbard,
offered the victim cold on a plate.
3 Shocking entrapment, scheming detachment,
almost inhuman, are we like that?
When self-deception hides our intention
self-righteous pleading bleeds on the mat.
4 Let us be honest, grace is God’s promise,
no need to earn it, this gift is free.
Yet could I face it? How to live with it:
face in the mirror looking at me.
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: 10 9 10 9
Tune: BUNESSAN
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