No Hymns Here (Psalm 137)

they that held us captive
required of us a song
they that wasted us
required of us mirth
saying "sing the songs of Zion"
but how can we sing the lord's song in a strange land

so we have hung our harps on the willows
we wont sing with bullets to the head
we wont sing with bayonets to the bosom
the songs of Zion are not coerced
they are love songs from a grateful creature to his maker
they are melodies that heal the heart and soul

the fair maidens have hung the tambourines
from the strains of a hard days work
the young men have hung the drums
marks of the task masters whip still fresh
though we wont sing in a strange land
our hearts will make melody
though the blows wont get us to entertain
worship to our God will flow
like rivers from within

though we have memories of a distant homeland
we will worship
he has wounded us
he will yet bind us
his anger never last forever

Jailer
there are no hymns here
singing for you is contempt in heaven's courts
our worship is with the heart
not for money
not for fame
we are worshippers
not entertainers

Jailer
one day  when his anger is gone
and the power of your hold wilts
then you will see the procession of his sons and daughters
free to sing to their king
then your sorrows will be multiplied
then free
the worship from our hearts will come to our mouths
then it will be your turn to bear the burden

Jailer
your burdens have taught us a new praise
your pain has made us better praisers
but before our shoulders are rid of your burden
our lips will remain sealed
but our hearts will be open
open for his praise alone