An Exceeding Great Army

AN EXCEEDING GREAT ARMY Because of the missing sword A soldier falls, And another, And another, And another… When was their birth? What hastens their death? Christ paid the debt He fought with that sword Till all forces bow… But for this missing sword A soldier crumbles, And another, And another, And another… They are well dressed: In military attire But are armed with brass weapons: With spears and rifles! Where is the amour, the shield, the breastplate, the helmet and the sword? Yet, for the want of that sword A soldier falters, And another, And another, And another… On mountain tops, Hills and valleys: Day and night; Toiling, preparing and waiting To combat the enemy, But never search for the missing weapon. Still, for the want of that sword A soldier dies, And another, And another, And another… Their camp is ravaged Each soldier for his dear life; The night of horror came The dawn of victory followed Each soldier remembers the missing weapon From their hidey-hole, loudly they scream, “The sword! The sword!! The sword!!!” Will the sword ever be found? No army is declared the Champion Without going through a battle; No victory is secured With the parade of cheap weapons; Then a soldier returns And another, And another, And another... And... the SWORD was found Removed from its sheath; and sharpened To fight the good fight And take their rightful place Then a soldier fights, And another, And another, And another… Now... the SWORD was found The army of God has risen With bleeding skin And broken bones. Like the dried bones, they are awake: Covered with the sinews of faith, And filled with the breath of fire To thresh mountains And dominate their enemies. Then a soldier lives, And another, And another, And another... The camp is restored The enemy is destroyed An exceeding great army has risen To root out and to pull down To destroy and to throw down To build and to plant… Then a soldier rejoices, And another, And another, And another...