Tag: Ramah

Holy Innocents’ Sunday – 28th December – A hymn of lament

Holy Innocents’ Sunday – 28th December – A  hymn of lament recollecting Herod’s intention to kill all the young children to rid himself of his perception that Jesus, ‘King of the Jews’ was a threat to his rule.

1	The Prince of Peace has come to earth, 
	we celebrate Messiah’s birth,
	and yet the news is hung with fears,
	and all the world is wrung with tears.
	How long, O Lord, must children cry?
	How long, O Lord, must children die?

2	In Ramah voices once had wept, 
	in quiet children died, not slept,
	and Rachel wandered comfortless 
	consumed by death and deep distress.
	How long, O Lord, must children cry?
	How long, O Lord, must children die?

3	And in a later time a place, 
	a squalid stable formed the space 
	in which a little boy was born 
	that all the powers of earth would scorn.
	How long, O Lord, must children cry?
	How long, O Lord, must children die?

4	The Prince of Peace has come to earth, 
	we celebrate Messiah’s birth,
	and yet we slaughter once again, 
	will death and carnage still remain.
	How long, O Lord, must children cry?
	How long, O Lord, must children die?

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)
Words © 2014 © 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: 8 8 8 8 8 8 
Tune: MOZART


Kyries for Holy Innocents – Herod’s high and mighty stand

1	Herod's high and mighty stand
	Showed the power at his command,
	Slaughtered children in the land:
	Kyrie, Lord have mercy, 
	Kyrie, Lord have mercy, 
	Kyrie, Lord have mercy on us. 

2	Mary wept, she understood,
	Wept as every mother should,
	Ramah's echo, death to good:
	Chorus 

3	Surely force has had its day,
	Brutish whim and power's display;
	Yet our actions hurt betray:
	Chorus 

4	Seen on every paper's page,
	Words of hate and fists of rage,
	Signs of greed in every age:
	Chorus 

5	Anger still inflicts the pain,
	Each excuse is seen as lame,
	Yet again we bear the shame:
	Chorus 

6	Till through this and every time
	People cease from heinous crime,
	Till with peace their actions rhyme:
	Chorus 

VERSION IN SONGS FOR A NEW MILLENIUM (7 7 7 D and refrain) 

1	Herod's high and mighty stand
	Showed the power at his command,
	Slaughtered children in the land:
	Mary wept, she understood,
	Wept as every mother should,
	Ramah's echo, death to good:
	Kyrie, Lord have mercy, 
	Kyrie, Lord have mercy, 
	Kyrie, Lord have mercy on us. 

2	Surely force has had its day,
	Brutish whim and power's display;
	Yet our actions truth betray:
	Seen on every paper's page,
	Words of hate and fists of rage,
	Signs of greed in every age:
	Kyrie, Lord have mercy, 
	Kyrie, Lord have mercy, 
	Kyrie, Lord have mercy on us. 

3	Anger still inflicts the pain,
	Each excuse is seen as lame,
	Yet again we bear the shame:
	Till through this and every time
	People cease from heinous crime,
	Till with peace their actions rhyme:
	Kyrie, Lord have mercy, 
	Kyrie, Lord have mercy, 
	Kyrie, Lord have mercy on us. 

Andrew E Pratt (born 1948)	
From: Whatever name creed, No.28 (1999) & Songs for the new millennium.
Words © 1999, 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.
Tune: HOLY INNOCENTS (Ian Sharp) Whatever name creed, No.28