Lyrics
O that we had repented
Expressing regret for not having repented earlier
Before this great and terrible day
Reflecting on the desire to repent before a significant and dreadful event
O that we had repented
Reiterating the wish for past repentance
Before this great and terrible day
Repeating the longing for repentance before an imminent grave situation
Then our fathers, mothers and children would have been spared
Suggesting that had repentance occurred earlier, family members could have been saved from a calamity
But now they all are gone
Regretting the loss of family members due to the lack of repentance
O that we had repented
Expressing a wish for prior repentance to avoid the current catastrophic situation
Before this great and terrible day
Reiterating the desire for repentance before a significant and dreadful event
How oft have I gathered you
Reflecting on the frequency of attempts to gather or unite the listeners
How oft have I gathered you
Repetition emphasizing the frequent attempts to gather or unite the listeners
As a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings
Comparing the act of gathering to a hen protecting its chicks under its wings, symbolizing care and protection
And again, how oft would I have gathered you
Highlighting the desire for repeated attempts to gather or unite
How oft would I have gathered you
Reiterating the wish for repeated gathering or uniting
As a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings
Reemphasizing the metaphor of a hen protecting its chicks, indicating care and protection
And ye would not
Expressing the resistance or refusal to be gathered despite repeated attempts
O all ye that are spared
Addressing those who have been spared due to their perceived righteousness
Because ye were more righteous
Acknowledging the righteousness of the spared individuals in contrast to others
More righteous than they
Comparing the spared ones' righteousness to those who faced consequences
Will ye not now return
Urging the spared individuals to return and come back
And come to me
Inviting them to repent and return to the speaker
And repent of all your sins and be converted
Encouraging repentance, a change from sinful ways, and conversion for healing
That I may heal you?
Seeking healing for those who repent
How oft has he gathered us
Reflecting on past instances where the speaker or a higher entity attempted to gather or unite the listeners
How oft has he gathered us
Repetition emphasizing the frequency of attempts to gather or unite the listeners
As a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings
Using the metaphor of a hen protecting its chicks, symbolizing care and protection in attempts to gather or unite
And again, how oft will he gather us
Highlighting the future desire for repeated attempts to gather or unite
How oft will he gather us
Reiterating the wish for repeated gathering or uniting in the future
As a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings
Reemphasizing the metaphor of a hen protecting its chicks, indicating care and protection
If we repent
Conditionally stating the possibility of being gathered if repentance occurs
And come unto Him
Encouraging the act of coming to a higher entity upon repentance
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