memories of iona

a place at the table
shirley erena murray

For everyone born, a place at the table
For everyone born, clean water and bread
A shelter, a space, a safe place for growing
For everyone born, a star overhead

(refrain)
And God will delight
When we are creators of justice and joy
Yes, God will delight
When we are creators of justice
Justice and joy!


For woman and man, a place at the table
Revising the roles, deciding the share
With wisdom and grace, dividing the power
For woman and man, a system that’s fair

For young and for old, a place at the table
A voice to be heard, a part in the song
The hands for a child in hands kind and wrinkled
For young and for old, the right to belong

For just and unjust, a place at the table
Abuser, abused, with need to forgive
In anger, in hurt, a mind-set for mercy
For just and unjust, a new way to live

For everyone born, a place at the table
To live without fear, and simply to be
To work, to speak out, to witness and worship
For everyone born, the right to be free