Inspired by love and anger,
disturbed by need and pain,
informed of God’s own bias,
we ask him once again:
‘How long must some folk suffer?
How long can few folk mind?
How long dare vain self-interest
turn prayer and pity blind?’
From those forever victims
of heartless human greed,
their cruel plight composes
a litany of need:
‘Where are the fruits of justice?
Where are the signs of peace?
Where is the day when prisoners
and dreams find their release?’
From those forever shackled
to what their wealth can buy,
the fear of lost advantage
provokes the bitter cry,
‘Don’t query our position!
Don’t criticise our wealth!
Don’t mention those exploited
by politics and stealth!
To God, who through the prophets
proclaimed a different age,
we offer earth’s indifference,
its agony and rage:
‘When will the wronged by righted
When will the kingdom come?
When will the world be generous
to all instead of some?’
God asks, ‘Who will go with me?
Who will extend my reach?
And who, when few will listen,
will prophesy and preach?
And who, when few bid welcome,
will offer all they know?
And who, when few dare follow,
will walk the road I show?’
Amused in someone’s kitchen,
asleep in someone’s boat,
attuned to what the ancients
exposed, proclaimed and wrote,
a saviour without safety,
a tradesman without tools
has come to tip the balance
with fishermen and fools.
Written by John L Bell and Graham Maule
The song Inspired by Love and Anger can be sung to the tune: Salley Gardens, Irish folk tune.
This song can be found in: Paynter, Neil (ed), This is the Day: Readings and meditations from the Iona Community. Wild Good Publications, 2002.