Tune: Eventide
(\'Abide with me\')
Matthew 2 v.13-18
For Holy Innocents Day - Dec 28
************
Angel appeared to Joseph in a dream
Said, Now depart, all is not as does seem
Take the young child and his mother and flee
Into Egypt, then there your safety be
For Herod will seek the child to destroy
Him, will use of evil tricks and of ploy
So they departed, in Egypt did stay
\'Til word of prophecy fulfilled one day
The word was, Out of Egypt I have called
My son, Herod is dead, be not appalled
For while he lived, with murderous intent
Would kill boys under two, his soldiers sent
Through Bethlehem and its coasts they did go
Misery, suffering did parents know
Yet fulfilled was another prophecy
E\'en through this, though children innocent be
The word was, Hark, voice heard, lamentation
Weeping, great mourning, and consternation
Rachel, mother-figure of Israel
Weeps for her children, and her comforts fail