Ode to Joyce

(For that Anne-girl)

Oh, Lord, please don't take her, for she is just yet born

Oh, Lord, please don't take her, her life should not be scorned

Oh, Lord, please, let her live, for her family loves her so

Oh, Lord, please, let her live, take me if one must go.

I see not the necessity to take this babe so small

For she has merely entered the world, she's done nothing wrong at all

Born into a family which would never harm her ever

Yet, still seems destined, I know not why, in Your great endeavor

Oh, Lord, please don't take her, for she is just yet born

Oh, Lord, please don't take her, her life should not be scorned

Oh, Lord, please, let her live, for her family loves her so

Oh, Lord, please, let her live, take me if one must go.

I'll cry and cry, and cry some more, if with you she doth depart

Never ever forgotten within her Mother's heart

Why can't you let her stay, oh Lord with a family that cares so deep

Why must you tear her away, oh Lord leaving me so weak?

Oh, Lord, please don't take her, for she is just yet born

Oh, Lord, please don't take her, her life should not be scorned

Oh, Lord, please, let her live, for her family loves her so

Oh, Lord, please, let her live, take me if one must go.

Her tiny face is frozen Lord, her tiny lips upturned

As if she knows a secret Lord, of what I've not yet learned

Oh won't you let her say Lord? Oh won't you let her tell?

Will I hear her laughter in Sunday's church bells?

Oh, Lord, please don't take her, for she is just yet born

Oh, Lord, please don't take her, her life should not be scorned

Oh, Lord, please, let her live, for her family loves her so

Oh, Lord, please, let her live, take me if one must go.

Her features seem to fade, oh Lord, as the years doth pass

The nose, the eyes, the hands, the feet, of my worn white lass

I've comes to grips with Providence, with my soul you no longer toy

And when finally comes my time my escort will be my Joy.