(Verse 1) By the oaks of Mamre, in the heat of the day, Abraham lifted his eyes as the sunlight blazed. Three men stood before him, strangers in the sand, He ran from his tent door to greet them by hand. “Stay a while, my lords, rest beneath the tree, Let water wash your feet, find comfort here with me. I’ll bring a little bread, refresh your weary way,” They nodded and answered, “Do as you say.” (Chorus) Three men in the heat of day, Promise and mystery walking Abraham’s way. Faith waits though the years have flown, And laughter will rise where the seed is sown. (Verse 2) He hurried to Sarah, “Quick, knead the flour fine, Three measures, bake it—make the cakes in time.” Then ran to the herd, took a tender calf, Gave it to the servant, and the meal was fast. He set curds and milk, the calf he had dressed, Stood by them under the tree while they ate and blessed. They asked, “Where is Sarah, your wife so fair?” “In the tent,” he answered, “She is there.” (Bridge 1) Then one said, “I’ll return when the season comes round, And Sarah your wife shall have a son.” Sarah heard within and laughed to herself, “Can old bones bear life when the years have all gone?” But the Lord said, “Why did Sarah laugh? Is anything too hard for Me? At the appointed time, she will cradle her child— You’ll name him Isaac for her laughter’s memory.” (Chorus) Three men in the heat of day, Promise and mystery walking Abraham’s way. Faith waits though the years have flown, And laughter will rise where the seed is sown. (Verse 3) When the men rose up, they looked toward Sodom plain, And Abraham walked with them down the way. The Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham’s eyes What I’m about to do beneath these skies?” For I know he’ll teach his house to keep My way, To do what’s just, to walk in faith. Then the Lord said, “Sodom’s cry is loud, Its sin is great before the crowd.” (Bridge 2) Two went on, but Abraham stayed, And drew near to plead and pray. “Will You sweep the righteous away with the wrong? If fifty are faithful, will You still bring harm?” The Lord replied, “If fifty I find, For their sake I’ll spare mankind.” “Then if forty-five?”—“I’ll not destroy.” “Then forty… thirty… twenty, Lord?” (Final Verse) And Abraham spoke once more in awe, “Suppose ten righteous stand in all?” The Lord said, “For ten, I will not strike.” Then He left, and the night grew still. (Outro) Three men came and walked away, Leaving promise and mercy in Abraham’s day. Laughter was born where the heart had grown old, And justice was weighed in the heat and the cold.
