Lyrics by Marian Partee
Music by Christina Whitten Thomas
Mother’s Word is a song cycle exploring transformative moments in the lives of mothers in the bible. In “Why Should I Cling to Life,” Queen Jezebel sees her assassin heading toward her tower.
JEZEBEL:
I see your chariot in the distance.
You drive your horses with all speed.
You think that I will run from you.
Commander Jehu,
I shall not flee nor plead.
When you approach my tower,
I shall not hide from death.
I shall look you in the eye,
Rebel Jehu,
Until my final breath.
Why should I cling to life?
You stole my youngest son from me.
I know Elisha put you up to that attack.
Joram was the rightful king,
Coward Jehu,
But you shot him in the back.
Why should I cling to life?
I brought you my beloved faith.
Your people slaughtered all the prophets of my god.
Yes, I slew your prophets, too,
Hebrew Jehu,
An act Baal would applaud.
I have done great and terrible deeds.
All Israel was under my command.
Yet I was powerless to save my husband and my sons.
The loss is more than I can stand.
Whatever lies beyond this land of dust,
Be it pleasure or torment,
I shall meet them there.
My family will lead me home
When my soul has been laid bare.
Why should I cling to life?
You turned my people’s hearts to you
And then you tore the mighty House of Ahab down.
You have taken those I love,
Traitor Jehu.
Now you’re coming for my crown.
Royal I was born.
Royal I remain,
A queen until the end
Of my bold and bloody reign.
Come, assassin Jehu,
Come and banish me from life.
I leave to you a kingdom
Of envy, war, and strife.
