Ode for the Children of Eden
Oh daughters of Adam and sons of Eve,
That garden so pleasant so freshly made,
How many the years since we did leave?
From there spoke a serpent deep in the shade.
From deep in the shade of many hued trees,
With glittering skin and glistening eye,
Charming our mother with tongue cloven speech.
“Surely you may eat whatever you please?”
“Eat! Eat what's forbidden. You will not die.”
So deep from the shadows came that first lie.
And from a low mound the raven did screech.
Oh creatures of soil that colours us through,
Good earth was given to shape and to bless.
But we have misshapen, all is askew,
No-one can straighten not even the best.
Still the lie echoes from proud coated men.
“We'll do as we please for good and for bad.”
“No God will tell us, instruct, or prevent.”
“No God will harm us, evict, or condemn.”
Down through the ages this vaunting ballad,
Sung by rebels and waved like a flag,
Has darkened our paths with evil intent.
Good earth still gives good grain and fruit to feed.
Still good heaven shines with glorious light.
Then why hollow faces pinched by need
While glistening gold is blinding our sight?
Ever grand schemes to bring in the new dawn,
Frauding and failing, great minds do their best.
Though wolves howl freedom still ever we're slaves,
Like herds to market, like sheep to be shorn.
Herdsmen and shepherds what is their interest?
So easy to blame for all our unrest
But thinking we're beasts like beasts we behave.
Oh sheep without shepherd, wandering lost,
How think you we came to this stony field?
Whose home was that garden (though we were dust)
Where our wayward heart was first revealed.
Where heeding the serpent's cloven tongue talk
Brought just judgement on our wayward race,
Ever to wander, to toil and to die.
Divorced from our Maker now we walk.
How far from His Holy Presence displaced.
Is your desire to see His dear face?
Creature of clay for your sin do you cry?
Children of Eden lift up your sad heads!
The way to the tree of life is open!
The promised one came who hung and bled
And by His death the fell curse is broken.
Return! Return to the One who made you!
He has ransomed with His own Son's blood.
Free pardon, new birth and life eternal
Take with your heart, why refuse, why doubt you?
None merit, none deserve but God is good.
Hard hearts we have and will not, but God would.
So by grace comes faith and escape from Hell.
Oh let there be praising and joyful song!
Let all creation bow down to The Lamb!
He is The Shepherd, in Him we belong.
He is the healing, His blood is the balm.
Let the trees clap their hands and shadows flee.
Let the earth give it's grain and heaven it's light.
Let the children dance and shout their reply.
No more by the serpent enslaved are we.
Against this deceiver we stand and fight.
We live for ever, this time it is right
For God has said it and God does not lie!
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