How Long?

HOW long, O Lord, shall sobs and sighs

Re-echo in our ears?

How long, O Lord, shall groans and cries

Compel our flowing tears?

How long, O Lord, shall blood be shed

Of innocent and pure?

How long, O Lord, shall deathly dread

O’er Israel endure?

How long, O Lord, shall darkness reign,

And murder rage unchecked?

How long, O Lord, by crimson stain

Our fateful page be flecked?

How long, O Lord, shall justice sleep

And Truth her head abase?

How long, O Lord, into the deep

Shall sink thy chosen race?

How long, O Lord, in exile yet,

Thy people, must they pine?

How long, O Lord, wilt Thou forget

The mercy that is Thine?

How long, O Lord, until the morn

Of peace and bliss supreme,

When Thy own glory shall adorn

The Zion of our dream?