Cry Beloved Country

Cry Beloved Country (Aug. 2008)

If we remain silent all creation will sing…

Be it from bud, or bloom, or a volcanic eruption

Beneath the very foundations of all our corruption

We’ll begin a revolution, a cry for a solution

From a mixture of all races and creeds

With a need to express a protest to the worldly dreams

For it seems the fruit of this tree is sin and greed

Grown from a seed, a need, perverted

Deserted, and ultimately reverted to

The red dust, the water, the air

That whispers, then screams, to be heard.

Cry Beloved Country.

Just one word could raise the dead.

For every work is built on life.

Cities rise on unmarked graves,

The blood of man bears man’s sweat

Both spilled for commerce and industry

As the works of God are built on Christ

So these nations sacrifice

Innocence for any price

And the mud-flesh we wear,

God-breathed as we are

Remains in silent protest

We need to declare

The truth that we hear.

Stop screaming in fear!

Cry Beloved Country.

Verily, verily I say unto you

If you will not speak

Close your eyes too!

Listen to the red-lettered words,

To the red foundations of the earth,

To the minister come to restore your mirth,

For all your tears will spring forth joy

If you would just see your need

For redemption, for peace,

For faith, hope, and love

The greatest of these.

The world groans with pregnant cries

In this land where the best laid plans

Die turning to seed, and all dreams

As dust, scatter in the breeze.

Cry from bedrock to mountain peak!

Cry from root to canopy!

Cry Beloved Country; redeem your destiny!

And should the drought be so severe

That there is famine in the land

And a tear can’t even fall to ease

The cracks upon your flesh

Listen for the voice that’s crying

In the wilderness.

Cry Beloved Country!

In the valleys, on the hills

In desert sands and jungle trees

From cities to the seas.

Cry for you are free to cry

And grace will suffice for thee.

In the darkest hour before the dawn

When the worlds begins to stir

To the singing of the birds

Rejoice Beloved Country

For your cry is heard!