[Lament Opening] O Absalom, my son, My son, my son, Absalom. Would God the stroke had fallen on me; O Absalom, my son. [Verse 1] The house had cracked through hidden violence, Amnon's crime and Tamar's shame. Absalom waited, cold and patient, Then spilled his brother's blood in blame. Years in exile, years returning, Beauty praised from crown to heel; At the gate he stole the people, Kissed the hands their king should feel. [Refrain] A father's house can hold a kingdom, Yet fail to hold its wounded own. The son rose up against the father; David left his guarded throne. [Verse 2] Barefoot over Kidron's water, David climbed the Mount and wept. Shimei cursed and stones came flying; Loyal hearts beside him kept. Absalom crossed into the city, Counsel turned, and armies formed. David charged his captains softly: "Deal gently with the young man." [Bridge] His hair caught fast beneath the branches; The mule moved onward, left him there. Joab's darts denied the mercy That a father's charge had dared. [Final Lament] O Absalom, my son, The victory tasted like the grave. The king went upward to the chamber; No crown could make a father brave. O Absalom, my son, My son, my son, Absalom.