Deliverance (copyright 2/15/84 Kerri-Ellen Kelly)

Deliverance

Deliver us, Lord, in every way
From those who strive to cloud each day
With storms of violence, pain and tears
That work to worsen lonely years

Deliver us, Lord, from those who try
To take without a reason why
Rewards we earn through work and toil
By tax on water, home and soil

Deliver us, Lord, from being old and weak
And causing thus the aid to seek
Of those in power, who buy and sell
The rights of man we know so well

Deliver us, Lord, from political games
By men of long and pompous names
Who perplex our sense and drive us mad
From wishing for what they have had

Deliver us, Lord, from those who think
Of progress and the missing link
And make their weapons to destroy
The natural peace of girl and boy

Deliver us, Lord, from all that pains
From all with ill-begotten gains
From anything which mars the state
Of happiness we cultivate

Deliver us, Lord, from earthly woes
And make for us friends from ardent foes
Lead us in the end to peace
And cause the endless wars to cease

Deliver us, Lord, to life again
And judge not harshly at the end
For though mankind is prone to err
Be generous, Lord; forgive us there