Biblical Ballads

Poetic retellings of Scripture by Philip G. Roets

The Ballad of the Good Samaritan

A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho,
When robbers fell upon him and left him low.
A priest passed by on the other side,
A Levite too — they would not abide.
But a Samaritan stopped, knelt down with care,
Bound up his wounds and lifted him there.
"Go and do likewise," the Master said,
Love your neighbor — the living and the dead.

The Ballad of the Prodigal Son

He took his share and went far away,
Spent all he had in reckless play.
When famine came he fed the swine,
And longed for the bread that once was mine.
He rose and went back to his father's door,
"I am not worthy to be your son anymore."
But the father ran and held him tight —
"My son was lost, but now is found — rejoice tonight!"

The Ballad of the Loaves and Fishes

Five thousand hungry on the hillside sat,
Five loaves, two fishes — and that was that.
"How can we feed them?" the disciples cried.
But Jesus took the bread, gave thanks, and tried.
He broke and blessed and gave to all,
And every one was fed — both great and small.
Twelve baskets full were gathered at the end —
The God of plenty, our eternal Friend.