This hymn was written by Carolyn Winfrey Gillete in remembrance of the beloved children of God who died in the school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas on May 24, 22. Many of us, as individuals, do not accept violence, keep silence, or clamor for guns. Yet, as a nation, we do these things, and as a nation, we need to repent; we need to turn around and live a different way. All of us are called to do more than sing and pray; please work for gun safety laws in your community and state. (Available in 2 formats)
This hymn references the Slaughter of the Innocents:
“A voice was heard in Ramah,
wailing and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be consoled,
because they are no more” (Matthew 2:18).
Tune: John Edgar Gould, 1871 (“Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me”)
Text: Copyright © 2022 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved. Permission is given for free use of this hymn for churches and ecumenical services.