The Seder

RING in the glorious festal-tide

That dawns o’er land and sea,

Proclaim the story far and wide

That made a people free.

A wondrous tale and often told,

Yet never dim it grows,

And now as in the days of old

No fading light it knows.

But ever fresh and bright it comes

Across the moving years,

And gayly in our festive homes

Rings welcome in our ears.

A table set in spotless white

With gladsome hearts around,

A hallowed scene of joy and light

As nowhere else is found.

The symbols of our feast in line

Before our view are spread,

The bitter herb and mystic wine,

The Paschal meat and bread.

Then from the book of ancient lore

The tale again is told,

With heightened tone and full rich store

Of legend quaint and old.

How Israel came to Egypt’s land

And through long years did bide,

How on them Pharaoh laid his hand

In all his godless pride.

Till God, He heard their bitter cry,

And swift His vengeance wrought,

’Mid signs and wonders from on high

The tyrant low was brought.

God led them on to victory:

Freedom crowned their day,

They marched away a people free

With banners high and gay.

And so with praise to God and song,

Israel far and wide

Remembers through the ages long

This happy festal-tide.