Classic Poem

Earth gave Thee a cradle, O Christ, and a cross,
Hard roads for Thy journey, reviling and loss;
Earth gave Thee Thy wounding, Thy shroud, and Thy tomb,
But earth gave no welcome and earth gave no home.

Oh, Wronged One, return to the land Thou hast left,
The land that is desolate, lone, and bereft;
The world is a chaos of comfortless woes;
Men's wisdom has failed them, no help they propose,

Thou art the one hope, Lord, oh, lend us Thine aid
And save Thy creation—the world Thou hast made.
A new earth shall greet Thee, a new world shall sing
The greatness and glories of Jesus its King.

Earth that once gave Thee its scorning and shame,
Its thorns and its scourging, shall yet hail Thy name,
The earth, once rebellious, allegiance shall own,
Shall give Thee a scepter, a crown, and a throne.