[Opening Lament] Year after year to Shiloh, Year after year in pain, Peninnah's voice provoking, An empty room again. Hannah moved her lips in silence, No sound beneath her grief; Eli thought the woman drunken, But sorrow sought relief. [Prayer Refrain] Remember Thy handmaid, Look on this wounded place. A son returned to service Would testify of grace. [Verse 1] Eli blessed her petition; She rose and ate her bread. Her face no longer carried The shadow it had spread. In time the child was given, And Samuel bore the name: "Because I asked him of the Lord," She brought him back the same. [Song of Reversal] My heart rejoices in the Lord; No rock is like our God. The bows of mighty men are broken, The weak are girded broad. The full have hired themselves for bread; The hungry hunger cease. He raises beggars from the dust And guards the feet of peace. [Final Verse] A little coat came every year From Hannah's faithful hand. The child grew on before the Lord, A prophet for the land. Her private grief became a song Of kingdoms yet to be: The Lord would strengthen His anointed And judge from sea to sea.