The Song of Abraham

One early morning
Stirred by a deep yearning
I left the comfort of my tent
and followed a mysterious scent

The sky was clear
And no one else near
I heard a voice
Calling me to make a choice

All those dear to me
Never again would I see
Promise of a great nation
and blessing to all generation

Wife and nephew only
I wondered often lonely
To a land I did not know
Daily my faith would grow

Many years in that land
The promised on which I stand
No son had yet been born
How often I felt so forlorn

My wife and I too old
Had God really all this told
Son of my maid
Aside God had laid

All hope seemed lost
Despite the high price it cost
With a laughter full of scorn
A son Isaac was born

Oh, old heart's joy
Revived by that young boy
All his promises God would fulfill
It was a matter of divine will

It was a starless night
All the world seemed right
When the old, familiar voice
Called for another choice

My heart was torn
Give up the one just born
The Son of Promise and Calling
All my hopes were falling

I thought this was his plan
To work among my clan
My world is shred to pieces
My faith slowly ceases

But I will climb this hill
Surrender all my will
For His thoughts are higher
He is an all-consuming fire

No sleep came that night
For this was a hopeless fight
Obedience was a must
In God's power would I trust

From nothing was I made
Into nothing will I fade
Resurrect my son from death
Lies within the power of His breath

When morning finally came
My limps had become lame
Into my tent the boy ran
Oh Daddy, be my biggest fan

Tears welled up within my chest
Your daddy will no longer rest
Come gather some wood
We will travel far by foot

On and on we trudged
My son never grudged
Towards mount Moriah
We made our slow Alijah

Finally we on top arrive
One of us will not survive
The wood on top I stack
Ceaselessly my brain I rack

We have no animal, he says
The last piece of wood lays
My only son I tightly bind
Even then his eyes so kind

Above my head I lift the knife
To end most precious life
My son now fully understands
He will never roam through foreign lands

Streams of tears run down my cheek
Oh, how I want to drown in nearby creek
The knife reflects the burning sun
And all I want is run

Then, first faint and now clear
The old familiar voice speaks near
Abraham, Abraham
I answer: Here I am

Don't slay the boy
You have brought me joy
I know now that Me you fear
So look quickly to your rear

There caught in a bush I saw a ram
To replace the son of Abraham
A lamb became the offering
Died death of greatest suffering