Why aren't there more Christmas carols about Herod? That was a question posed to some friends a while ago and I took it as a challenge. Here's the result:
(To the tune Good King Wenceslas)
Bad King Herod had a scare
Whilst in his palace sitting;
Some strange men came from afar
All the same question asking:
Looking for a king were they
But not the one before them;
The stars had given them the way
To find the babe to lead them.
Now Herod heard this news with fright
And called his close advisers:
'Where is this child who claims my throne?
O tell me now, you wise sirs!'
'The ancient texts are very clear,'
Replied his earnest sages;
'The town of Bethlehem,' they said,
'Is written in these pages.'
So Herod had to hatch a plan,
To stop this young usurper;
His kingdom was too good to lose
To some unknown intruder.
He called the strangers from the east
And sent them with a message:
'Find the boy-king that you seek,
So I can bring my homage.'
The Magi went upon their way
The star so bright to guide them.
They found the infant as foretold
And bowed the knee before him.
But when they left to head for home,
A warning filled their dreaming:
'Return back by another route -
Avoid King Herod's scheming!'
When Herod learned that he'd been tricked
His heart o'erflowed with anger;
He plotted swift and cruel revenge
On all who posed him danger.
A massacre of infant boys
Not one to be left breathing
A crime against the innocent
Their parents filled with grieving.
This man of violence and greed
Against the Christ-child plotted
But Herod's threats and jealousy
The Prince of peace defeated
I'm every age still many look
To wield their power for evil,
But we rejoice in Jesus' power
Our glorious King eternal.
(c) SE McBratney 2024
Comentarios