"How Often Would I... But Ye Would Not"

"I would My child this year that you had grown
That you My word had better known
I longed to lead you higher on the Way
I wished to fashion o'er the broken clay
BUT YE WOULD NOT

I would that you a light had been for Me
To let your friends see clearer life's 'eternity'
I would at work you'd make a stand for Me
I would you'd shunned all lies and base hypocrisy
BUT YE WOULD NOT

I longed that you'd a tender mother be
Knowing your child 'My special gift' to thee
Taking the time to make him learn of Me
Teaching the sacrifice of Calvary
BUT YE WOULD NOT

I would as a father you had been their guide
True, holy, noble, seen from every side
That all your family could have turned to Me
Because in you they did My image see
BUT YE WOULD NOT

Will you heed all that I do ask of thee
Will you reveal what I still long to see
Will you respond to My own agony
Will you obey your Master's tender plea
OR WILL YOU NOT?"