A strange roar shatters the serenity

Of the bare barren hill countryside

Growing in its dark intensity

There was no nook in which to hide

And so I watched as they led Him up there

To the top of that hill-

That hill so bare

 

A strange sight it was for me to follow

They placed Him on two beams of wood

Strangely my whole being felt very hollow

I shuddered there just where I stood

For I knew not what was happening there

On the top of that hill-

That hill so bare

 

So with the hammer of my disobedience

And the gall of my rebelliousness

And the cold steely nails of my sins

They hanged Him and put Him to death

I weep whenever to think I dare

Of the day on that hill-

That hill so bare

 

Lord, do not take away my tears

Savor their sweet salinity

Joy of deliverance from my fears

And pain of my hostility

So treasure my tears as my soul I bare

And I think of that hill-

That hill so bare

(Written in Austin, Texas during Lent in 1996)