Hope is conceived in suffering
Out of the womb, life is born
Crying and trailing clouds of pain
Hope is conceived in suffering
Creation waits with eager longing
Subjected to futility, it moans for freedom
Hope is conceived in suffering
From the depths of Egypt a cry is heard
'Save us, Good Lord, from our oppression!'
Hope is conceived in suffering
A poor woman, bereft and alone, holds tight
'Your God shall be my God, your people my people'
Hope is conceived in suffering
When everything has been lost and nothing is left
But to hate and curse and die
Hope is conceived in suffering
Why so downcast Oh my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Hope is conceived in suffering
My soul faints with longing for your salvation
I rise before dawn and cry for help
Hope is conceived in suffering
In the Valley of the bones, the Prophet speaks
'Dry bones! Hear the word of the Lord!'
Hope is conceived in suffering
When Jesus died on the cross everything was lost
The disciples were scattered, his friends dispersed
Hope is conceived in suffering
The women came to the tomb with tears in their eyes
With heavy hearts they felt half dead
Hope is conceived in suffering
And when Hope came, they were confused
Joy mixing with awesome fear
Hope is conceived in suffering
Be patient in tribulation, faithful in prayer
Practice hospitality to all in need
Hope is conceived in suffering
Prepare your minds for action, be self-controlled
Set your hopes fully on the grace to be revealed
Hope is conceived in suffering
You will soar on wings as Eagles
You will run and not grow weary
You will walk and not faint
Hope is conceived in suffering
The birth pangs set the world atremble
If you listen, you can hear the hope emerging
Hope is conceived in suffering