Oh, Jesus, what was your error?

In what trial were you tried?

What crimes did you commit

that you were lashed and loathed like this?

They left you trembling, crowned with thorns,

mocked you dripping with spit,

Elephant striving for Africa.

Christians, rain down your tears.

Call to mind the pain he suffered,

falling, at prayer in the garden,

the voice already saying “That's him,

see him, stabbed and speared.”

Look at his blood-flecked body.

Our sins have caused his torment.

I see with eyes of truth

his love is boundless, past all knowing.

We must thank this battle hero

who vanquished and humbled all enemies,

crushed death and the ancient serpent

to wipe us clean of sin.

Reed that was crushed on the cross

for Adam's sins and his family's,

show us the way to peace on earth

through your bones that rest in death.

Today, in the Book we read of you,

like a little sheep led to slaughter,

not a word did you speak as you went,

like a lamb ready for shearing.

Crush Satan, the ancient serpent,

let him die in his tracks, let hell mourn.

We make our appeal to you

for the hundreds of thousands killed in Africa.

You came for love of your people,

washed in water and the word of might,

a king of peace who carried peace,

bringing bliss to the hard of heart.

Crush this land's vile habits,

embolden the youth of our nation,

for when we reached the white man's cities

we drank the brews of foreign gods.

Crush this land's vile habits,

through your death our foes were humbled

for with love you descended from heaven

to unify heaven and earth.

Through you our tears were wiped away,

through you the sun shone down on us.

Through the blood of the Lord we are partners in heaven

and with it we smeared our doorposts.

Mercy! Awu!!