On the excuse of doing king's justice
Those who had once struck him down
Are reborn today
In the guise of devotees
They have come to the church
Calling the soldiers who kill
Loudly they cry the command to kill.
The psalms they chant are mixed
With their war cries '
The son of man in excruciating pain
Says, 'O God!
The cup they offer is filled
With a deadly poison
Throw it away, throw it away at once'.
Translation of the song – Ekdin jara merechhilo tare giye/rajar dohai diye – composed and sung by Rabindranath Tagore on 25/12/ 1939 to celebrate the Christmas in Santiniketan. Three months ago the Second World War had started. Best recording is by Asoktoru Bandopadhyay. The original with its swaralipi or notation is at http://www.rabindra-rachanabali.nltr.org/node/4177.
