The darkening clouds are rolling across the purpled hill And hide the full moon rising, while all the night is still All round about the city walls, stern Romans take their stand Despised and hated enemies, upon this sacred land. In homes the oil lamps flicker, give shadows on each wall The lamb is killed, its blood is shed, and families now recall That on a night so long ago, when they in bondage lay Jehovah spoke through Moses, “Let each a lamb now slay. Sprinkle the blood outside the door, the Slayer now draws near But those now sheltered by the blood can feast and have no fear Threading their way through ancient streets, a little band appear When to a special upper room, the thirteen men draw near. It was to this blest sacred spot, the group of men then came And in their midst, a lovely man, and Jesus is His Name. While when en route they argued, upsetting words were said For little did they understand, the Lord would soon be dead. Up to that room, prepared now, they each then took their place And Christ the Lord who loved them, began for them to trace. The future that would soon unfold, a traitor, one of them! Oh which among them ever, would Christ the Lord distain? To sell Him for a silver coin, who would then stoop so low? To sell the blessed Son of God, -- did ever such a blow Of selfishness, corruption, erupt from human heart Who would this deed commit then, where did it ever start? Judas, Judas, Judas, what infamy and shame To every son of Adam, who ere has borne thy name. Contemptible, despicable and loathsome to the end For you betrayed the Christ child, the Saviour of all men. © Rowan Jennings