BRIER – (Good Friday)

LYRICS

Because, dear Christ, your tender, wounded arm
   Bends back the brier that edges life’s long way,
That no hurt comes to heart, to soul no harm,
   I do not feel the thorns so much to-day.

Because I never knew your care to tire,
   Your hand to weary guiding me aright,
Because you walk before and crush the brier,
   It does not pierce my feet so much to-night.

Because so often you have harkened to
   My selfish prayers, I ask but one thing now,
That these harsh hands of mine add not unto
   The crown of thorns upon your bleeding brow.

Emily Pauline Johnson (10 March 1861 – 7 March 1913),