The Song of the Magdalene

by

Wayne Hicks

They took me by the arms and dragged me through the city streets,
They brought me to the Master and they threw me at His feet,
And they asked Him, “tell us, Jesus, does this woman fit your plan,
When we found her lying with a married man?”
I covered up my eyes, for I just couldn’t bear to see,
The hatred in their faces, tho’ each one had been with me,
Then I heard the Master whisper, and I felt Him touch my hand,
As He lifted me and helped me up to stand!

And all of my accusers were gone, not one remained,
As I looked into the eyes of Him who saved me, He explained,
“There is none left to condemn you, and neither, Child, do I,
So go your way, and tell your past goodbye!”

I stared as He just turned away, my mind could not believe
That tho’ He knew just what I was, He’d still stood up for me,
All my life, I’d been a thing men used, then threw away,
But this man gave me back my life that day!
I didn’t even go back home, I joined in with the throng,
That trailed Him everywhere He went, and followed right along,
And listened as so many told me how He’d set them free,
It was just the way that He had done for me!

I never went back home again, where He was, there was I!
And I’d find things I could do for Him, and sometimes catch His eye,
The wistful smile He’d give to me for doing my small part,
Would send a thrill into this woman’s heart!

Of course, I knew He’d never be more than a friend to me,
For such a man as Jesus, simple things were not to be,
So, I’d just look for little things to do to let Him know,
That I loved Him, tho’ I’d never let it show,
I cooked for Him, I washed His feet, perfumed His flowing hair,
Whenever He would look around, He knew He’d find me there,
And in His smiling eyes, I saw the love I longed to see,
Not quite the same, but still, enough for me

I watched Him raise up Lazarus, tho’ he was truly dead,
And with a small boy’s meal, I witnessed many thousands fed,
Oh, the things that He accomplished, so much more than man could dream,
And I knew that He was not quite what He seemed!

Then came that fateful morning, when Judas tracked Him down,
And soldiers took my Jesus, and they bore Him off to town,
We tried to find out why, but no one answered any plea,
All I knew was they had taken Him from me,
And then we heard the rumors that were circling far and wide,
That Jesus was an outlaw, and His teachings all were lies,
And though some began to wonder, and some did turn away,
In my heart I knew, ’twas by His side I’d stay!

But they took Him up to Pilate, and to Herod and back again,
And they challenged Him for wonders, but He never did give in,
Oh, if only He had used the pow’r that turned the storm away,
Then I know that He’d be here with me today!

And then there came the word that He was to be crucified,
It hit me like a blow, I felt my heart break deep inside,
They stripped Him and they mocked Him, called Him master, called Him king,
This gentle man, not guilty of a thing,
I watched as He was beaten, saw the thorns upon His head,
I saw His beard torn from His face, His blood ran deep and red,
Then they laid Him down and nailed Him to that awful wooden tree,
And they raised Him up for all the world to see!

I couldn’t get up close enough to hear the words He said,
Before a soldier thrust his spear, to prove to all that He was dead,
And deep within my soul, I felt the darkness crashing in!
I’d never see this man I loved again!

We took His body down, and laid it in a borrowed grave,
The soldiers sealed it with a stone, and chased us all away,
But I come up here in the night to mourn Him in despair,
But the stone is gone, His body isn’t there!

So, tell me, gentle Gard’ner, did you see, where did they go?
Where did they take my Jesus, tell me, please, I’ve got to know!
I beg you, did you see them, anyone up here today?
But, sir, why do you look at me that way?

And then the sun comes up in brilliant, glorious morning light!
To reveal the face of Jesus, here before my very eyes!
The tender smile, the hand that reaches out to steady me,
They’re all as I remember them to be!

Yes, Jesus has arisen, He’s alive this very day!
And He took my place upon that cross, to wash my sins away,
And someday, when the time has come, we’ll be back at His side,
At the Marriage of The Lamb, when, at last, He claims His Bride!