Ire Against Innocents

Tune: Puer Nobis = 'A child is born for us'

('Unto us a boy is born')

Matthew 2 v.13-18

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Angel said to Joseph, Rise

And take from Herod's despise

They young child and His mother

To a country another

To a country another

They to Egypt went, did stay

Until Herod's final day

Out of Egypt I called my son

Hosea's prophecy done

Hosea's prophecy done {1}

Herod, when mocked of wise men

Flew into a rage then

Ordered all little children

Under two years to be killed then

Under two years to be killed then

In Bethlehem and its coasts

Laments to the uttermost

Jeremiah's prophecy {2}

Even that fulfilled, so be

Even that fulfilled, so be

Saying, In Ramah there heard {3}

Weeping and the mournful word

Rachel weeping for children {4}

No comfort, for they killed then

No comfort, for they killed then

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{1} Hosea 11 v.1

{2} Jeremiah 31 v.15

{3} Ramah - a town representing Israel and Judah

{4} Rachel - a mother-figure of Israel and Judah