The Lament of the Hebrew Slaves

NB This is not a literal translation of the famous choir "Va Pensiero" from the Nabbucco, but just what I felt as when many, many years ago I was in a choir and sang this lovely aria. ******************************************** Listen to our pitiful pleas, Oh Almighty God. Let them be heard from every mountain and vale. Let my prayers ascend to Heaven above That we may one day cross the Jordan And return to our promised land, A place of milk and honey and fragrance Dispersed throughout our sweet native land. We acknowledge our sinful nature, Lord. We dared adore other pagan gold and stony idols, And left you so far away from our laws. We lament our sins and accept our punishment. Slavery in pagan Babylon, condemned To death and other painful beatings. Yet, if we are not to be allowed to go back to Zion, At least Almighty God, teach us to endure our sufferings.