Prelude to the Genocide

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Lyrics: Daniel Decker (USA)
Music: Ara Gevorgian

Please listen to the music following Daniel Decker's short recitation.

Performers: Daniel Decker (USA), Vitalie Dani (Moldova), Tsvetan Tsvetov (Bulgaria), Kai Aughagen (Germany), Inka (Finland), Gegham Grigoryan (Armenia).

Lyrics: Daniel Decker (USA)
Music: Ara Gevorgian

Please listen to the music following Daniel Decker's short recitation.

Performers: Daniel Decker (USA), Vitalie Dani (Moldova), Tsvetan Tsvetov (Bulgaria), Kai Aughagen (Germany), Inka (Finland), Gegham Grigoryan (Armenia).

A D A N A

In the city of Adana during the darkest days of the Ottoman Empire, there began a tragedy that marked the start of what was to become known as the Armenian Genocide. The people of Armenia were forced into starvation, torture and extermination. Armenian homes were burned to the ground as women were raped and tortured, children were bought and sold and men were killed before their very eyes. Sometimes entire families were wiped out. They were accused, convicted and sentenced to die because they dared to call themselves "Christians", their crime was in believing in Jesus Christ who died for their sins.

In 1915 1.5 million Armenians were ruthlessly slaughtered, because they would not renounce their faith in Christ. Unpunished and undeterred the ones responsible for the massacre in Adana set stage for the terrible genocide of the Armenian people.
This is their story.

From the morning sun til the day was done
Fathers worked until their strength was gone
In the summer air under mother's care
Children played within the village square

Through the soil and sand, farmers worked the land
Gathering what they grew by their own hand
Living day by day, trying ti make their way
Unaware the price they would soon pay

CHORUS

Keepers of the sword, marched in one accord
Striking down the weak, without a single word
Ruthlessly they came, with one deadly aim
Kill all who believed in Jesus' name.

In the shroud of night, families took their flight
Unprotected by the soldier's might
Hungry and alone, starved to skin and bone
Forced to sleep on pillows made of stone

Wandering in the rain, trembling from the pain
Cries for mercy offered up in vain
Naked and afraid, on their knees they prayed
As they knelt before the warrior's blade… singing

CHORUS
To the great I AM, Worthy is the Lamb
To Him who sits upon the throne we bow before You
Holy is the One, God's Almighty Son
Glory to the Christ, Our risen King.

Though persecuted, they were not abandoned as they laid down their earthly lives, they would gain entirety with Christ. Though the world may forget, God would remember their suffering. Never again would they hunger or thirst. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, would be their shepherd who would lead them to the springs of living water and God would wipe away every tear for their eyes. They would encircle the throne of God singing to the great I Am, worthy is the Lamp, who and is, and is to come.

2 comments

Anonymous says:

April 24, 2013 at 6:52 pm

Տե´ր Աստված,Փրկի´ր և պահպանի´ր…

Տե´ր Աստված,
Փրկի´ր և պահպանի´ր…
Ամեն..
Anonymous says:

April 24, 2014 at 1:50 pm

On this sacred day of April

On this sacred day of April 24, it is not enough that we only mourn with each other. We must each reach out to the broader community and ask our neighbours to also join us in our sorrow. We should not assume that everyone knows about the Armenian Genocide. By informing those who may not know of our suffering and loss, we will gain support for our Cause. We can each send an email to every level of Government and either thank or ask for their support in acknowledging the Armenian Genocide.

I have also sent the following email to all the major Christian Church denominations in my city, in hopes that they will ask their congregations to also join us in remembrance.

"Today is the ninety-ninth year of Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. I ask for your prayers in remembrance of the loss of over 1.5 million Armenian Christians, who died holding fast to their faith in the promise of the Cross."