Verse 1 Why do You stand so far away, Lord? Why hide when the wicked boast? They trap the poor with a bottle and word, And raise their glass in a toast. They spit on the meek in the alleyway rain, Laughing while justice bleeds, But the Lord sees all from His windowpane, And He’ll reckon with their deeds. Chorus 1 (shouted with fiddle & accordion swell) Raise your cup, you saints and thieves, He hears the cry beneath the eaves. When kings forget and liars reign, The Lord will come again! Verse 2 They say in their hearts, “We’ll never fall,” Their pockets are fat with sin. They curse the poor in the market stall, And cheat their brother’s kin. But the orphan’s prayer is a rising flame, The widow’s tear a sword, And the drunk in the gutter can still proclaim, “There’s mercy in the Lord!” Chorus 2 (rowdy pub-band energy) Sing it loud, you beaten men, He’ll break the proud like rusted tin. The streets may roar, the rich may grin, But the Lord will come again! Bridge (softer, nostalgic — whistle solo, then spoken) So play the tune for the lost tonight, For the ones who can’t find home. The tavern door is the temple light, And no one drinks alone. Final Chorus — Full Band, Call & Response Raise your cup, you saints and thieves, He hears the cry beneath the eaves. When kings forget and liars reign, The Lord will come again! (Aye, the Lord will come again!) Outro — Fiddle & Tin Whistle Fade (Band hums the chorus under whistle solo until the final beat crashes with a cheer and clinking mugs.)
