Once again the cries are choked
The hurt, the maimed, the dying
The shattered glass, the acrid smoke
Is somewhere satisfying
Somewhere you are pleased and proud
You’ve spread your pain around
But did you do, did you do any good?

Did you nurse a wounded child?
Did you let the homeless in?
Did you listen when they cried?
Did you call all men your kin?
Did you feed a hungry world?
Did you give the chained release?
Did you keep your banners furled?
Did you say a prayer for peace?
Did you find a cure for hate?
Make the world a kinder place?
Did the seeds you sowed become the fields of wheat?

So you made a great big bang
And there’s blood upon the coals
You and all your righteous gang
Have killed some gentle souls
Do you think God loves this thing you’ve done?
Would you love a God that could?
But did you do, did you do any good?

Does heaven care which prayer resounds?
Do you think there’s war above?
All God knows and all that counts:
Were you an instrument of love?

© Bruce Holmes 2008 All Rights Reserved