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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.

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Hilda Greenhough

Date: 6/17/2024 7:55:00 AM

A poem that I enjoy in this version as much as I do the biblical one. It is amazing that this period of hardship was preserved.

Karen Jones

Date: 6/17/2024 12:32:00 AM

This is a powerful write full of humbling angst and beauty.

Hilo Poet

Date: 6/14/2024 5:10:00 PM

Mother was a pious woman and forever faithful to the Living God, yet, she did make certain that her rose garden was freed of weeds before the first ball bounced on the playground. I'm enlightened by your resurrecting words of an amissed rose garden and a voice beholden to values of certainty...Aloha my friend, sahha Victor

Eileen Manassian

Date: 6/14/2024 7:00:00 AM

So well written. Unfortunately, the had to learn the hard way and not the oppressed have become oppressors. We never learn. Is that a recent photograph of you?

Regina Elliott

Date: 6/12/2024 5:33:00 AM

A beauteous and classical poem on the people of Hashem, the Israelites. Bravissimo, Victor. May your day be blessed. Shalom. ~

Ink Empress

Date: 6/12/2024 2:43:00 AM

Heartfelt and sincere words woven here, so very well delivered. Prayers during difficult times, today we need more hearts to pray, for light as dark is so many parts of the world. Pleasure reading your poem. Sending you light

Eve Roper

Date: 6/11/2024 3:13:00 PM

Wonderful prayer. God does with our prayers help us to endure, He gives us a peace. Blessings my friend

Maria Williams

Date: 6/11/2024 3:54:00 AM

When we become aware of our own sinful nature, we inevitably experience deep regret for our actions and ultimately come to terms with the consequences of our sins. As you say dear Victor at least we must implore the Almighty to teach us to endure our sufferings. A wonderful empathic poem and a fave...Hugs

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 6/11/2024 12:54:00 AM

- Beautiful, Victor ... I wish I could sing :) - hugs

Evelyn Judy Buehler

Date: 6/10/2024 10:16:00 PM

This cry to heaven is so touchingly delivered, my friend. Your heartfelt poem reflects the suffering, regrets and hopes of a people in bondage. Blessings.

Sally Eslinger

Date: 6/10/2024 8:45:00 PM

Victor, please accept my deep thanks for your sharing this !

Nette Onclaud

Date: 6/10/2024 5:37:00 PM

the feeling of conflict and remorse is palpable...what a stirring write which cascades down to the bones...huggs!

Joe Dimino

Date: 6/10/2024 3:27:00 PM

Lovely voice -- we pray for peace in such a troubled land. "Yet, if we are not to be allowed to go back to Zion, At least Almighty God, teach us to endure our sufferings." A tough pill to swallow. Blessings my friend.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 6/10/2024 9:48:00 AM

It sounds pretty much how they would have reacted once humbled and imploring God to help them back to their home. Nice one, Victor.

Sotto Poet

Date: 6/10/2024 9:39:00 AM

Great poem Victor, peace, wealth, tranquility, and ideal living conditions are still dreams. I pray that they will come true eventually. God despises injustice, and the current trend of murdering infants and the elderly is abhorrent.

Joseph May

Date: 6/10/2024 9:25:00 AM

A prayer of repentance as they wept at the rivers of Babylon, Very nicely done

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 6/10/2024 6:38:00 AM

Victor, nice to know you sang in the choir! Yes,they had to endure much in Babylon. Upon losing favor they yearned for the land of milk and honey, the fragrance of blessing. They (We)! Let us have gratitude and repent of any idols, turn to God with all our hearts!

Sara Kendrick

Date: 6/10/2024 4:08:00 AM

I imagine that they have felt or some of them have felt for years that they were separated from their home. God does hear and answer their prayers, but He does want faithfulness from them. Thanks for sharing this one with us. Someday for a while there will be peace, prosperity, calm, perfect living conditions, etc. for the whole earth. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about this aria with us. So many of the Psalms were to be sung by one person or a choir or played on musical instruments or both.

Tom Cunningham

Date: 6/10/2024 2:38:00 AM

I agree with Beryl, reads like a prayer, love the accompanying aria Victor. It's perfect. Tom

Beryl Edmonds

Date: 6/10/2024 1:45:00 AM

This reads like a prayer, a wonderful prayer Victor. I have been in a few choirs too, I love to sing, but I can’t. I once went to an Abba tribute and one of the singers came down and asked if someone woukd like to stand up and sing, I did and sang to “I had a dream” just sang into the mike and loved it, had one of the best times ever, I had people coming up dancing with me and saying I was very good, a wonderful memory… Beryl x