The Keeper

One morning when the world was new, when first we saw the sun.
The Lord lay down to rest awhile pleased at what He done.
And of all the creatures he had made, he loved the man the best.
So he placed into his hands the fate of all the rest.

"And all these things I give to you to keep and to protect,
From the biggest of the big blue whale to the tiniest insect.
To rule with love and kindness, the weak, the wild the strong.
And treat my creatures gently, only you know right from wrong."

But man was so conceited, that he couldn't see the worth.
Of all these lovely creatures that filled this lovely earth.
One by one he hunted them with food and sport and greed.
One by one they disappeared each species and each breed.

"And all these things I give to you to keep and to protect,
From the biggest of the big blue whale to the tiniest insect.
To rule with love and kindness, the weak, the wild the strong.
And treat my creatures gently, only you know right from wrong."

After many years had passed, the Lord came down to see.
The man and all the others he left so wild and free.
"Where are all my silver streams, my forests dark and green?"
There was only dust and desert, wherever man had been.

"And all these things I give to you to keep and to protect,
From the biggest of the big blue whale to the tiniest insect.
To rule with love and kindness, the weak, the wild the strong.
And treat my creatures gently, only you know right from wrong."

"Where are all my animals? The hippo and the whale?
And the fish that fill to the ocean, before your ships set sail.
The lion and the tiger and the elephant so tall?
I left you as their keeper. Do you not recall?"

"And all these things I gave to you to keep and to protect,
From the biggest of the big blue whale to the tiniest insect.
To rule with love and kindness, the weak, the wild the strong.
And treat my creatures gently, only you know right from wrong.
And treat my creatures gently, only you know right from wrong."