Holy Innocents

This is a lullaby written in the sean nos, the old way, 

for a beautiful little boy, the child of a priest.

His father left the mother to raise their child alone...

Holy Innocents

Daddy’s preaching this week dear,

He cannot be with us here

But Jesus and His mother are our friends.

And they know just how we feel

When we pray that Daddy’s love was real

For Scripture tells us real love never ends.

Daddy serves two masters, love.

One’s a serpent, One’s a Dove.

And the serpent tells him love is really sin.

And if he gives in to this love

That comes to him from God above

Then the serpent says he’ll lose his life within.

Holy Innocent child of mine

You’re being punished for our crime

Against a Roman law forbidding priests to wed

You are among the little ones

Many daughters, many sons

Whose need for father’s love is heaven fed.

There’s no room in the Roman Inn.

Pope Herod’s codes say you’re a sin

But there’s a loving Christ outside the door.

And the stable doors of His Church are wide

Inviting us to come inside

And dream the dream with Christ Whom we adore.

Where Charity and Love prevail

We know we will find God

‘tho laws forbidding Love all fail

Those laws have left you scarred.

But while your Daddy’s soul’s in jail

And from his heart you’re barred

Know that Mommy loves you, you’re her gift from God.

Copyright 1995 Cáit Finnegan