Sweet Rose of Sharon, holy heartsease

Source of serenity heal our disease

In you alone will the world find repose

Yet you were cut off like a flower that grows.

Sweet Rose of Sharon, Lily of the valley

A flower among thorns you were cut off for me.

There among the lilies I will now feed

For where the flower falls it deposits its seed

Sweet Rose of Sharon, flower of peace

Spring up from dry dusty ground in release

But first you were true to the plan from your birth

To fall and be buried within this tired earth.

Sweet Rose of Sharon, your glory bursts forth

Your glory declaring your own matchless worth

Source of forgiveness, true source of release

You are the only salvation and peace.

Anthony Foster

10-1-2002