Founding Father
Gone long to dust those bones and flesh,
those men who called on God to Bless,
this land their feet were brought to trod,
The Founding Father, Holy God.
Rugged heights and forest depths,
raging waters, stony steppes,
peaceful meadows, crystal streams,
abundant life from sea to sea.
Oh shallow dreams of focus lost,
Oh purpose served at bitter cost,
Oh storehouse plundered, raped and robbed,
Oh nation now aloof from God.
Oh faith in mammon, idol loaned,
Oh comforts gained, in End bemoaned,
Oh creature served by self for self,
Oh gospel false which can't atone.
Mourn jaded eyes and ears and hearts,
mourn jaded tastes in less thought more,
mourn sophists prattle, Truth unsought,
mourn Day of Judgment, sure to come.
For Mercy cry from broken heart,
with contrite spirit, face your God,
endure the shock as trappings stripped,
reveal the void of Blessings missed.
Come Love of God and neighbor True,
please fill our hearts, displace the fears,
of falling short of shallow goals,
for which we trade, our very souls.
1999 Bro. James