[Movement I] The city began where no hand chose to stay, Unwashed in the field, then commanded to live. Washed and adorned, she trusted the gift, The faithless city forgot where life began, [Movement II] And spent borrowed beauty on altars of betrayal. Allies became judges, the finery became shame, Yet everlasting mercy remained beyond disgrace. The covenant giver remembered when she would not. [Movement III] Then two eagles circled a cedar and vine, One oath was broken for Egypt’s uncertain wing. The rooted vine withered though watered before, No treaty can prosper by despising the sworn word. [Bridge] A tender branch rises from the high cedar’s crown, God plants the lowly and brings the proud tree down. [Coda] The faithless city forgot where life began, The covenant giver remembered when she would not. A tender branch rises from the high cedar’s crown, God plants the lowly and brings the proud tree down.