Hosanna in the highest, Our eager hearts acclaim

1 Hosanna in the highest!
Our eager hearts acclaim
the prophet of the kingdom,
who bears Messiah’s name.
O bold, O foolish peasants,
to deem that he should reign!
The temple and the palace
look down in high disdain.

2 Long ages dim the message,
and custom has sufficed
for merchants and for princes
to bow, and own him Christ.
But when another spirit
arises from the plain,
the courts of power tremble,
and crucify again.

3 O first of many prophets
who come of simple folk
to free us from our bondage,
to break oppression’s yoke:
restore our minds to wisdom,
make known the life, the way
that leads through love and justice
unto the peace-crowned day.

Source: Singing the Living Tradition #262