Do No Harm

Carrie Newcomer

John Roth had a heart like flame,
He believed all souls were loved the same
He packed up his hopes and his family and moved to Ohio
There in the deep dark wilderness,
With a newborn son he soon was blessed
Raised him up in the ways of the old prophets,
And named him Isaiah Roth

[Chorus]
Do no harm, shed no blood,
The only law here is love
We can call the kingdom down here on earth
Beat your swords into plows,
Don't be afraid I'll show how
Lift your eyes to the skies,
All is holy here

The forest people soon came near,
His message to the red children clear
We can build the peaceable kingdom here in the shadow of these trees
They planted oats and beans and maize,
They planted their hearts in the dirt of that place
And they learned to speak of hope
And grace in the language of John Roth

[Chorus]

When Isaiah Roth had just turned ten,
He was working in the loft again
He looked out and saw eight white men come riding up that day
The men shouted out from the deepening glade saying,
"Y'all come on out an' we can trade"
The forest people walked out unafraid with smiles and open hands

The white traders lifted up their guns
And shot them down each and every one
And the Eden that John Roth begun
Lay bleeding on the ground

[Chorus]

The world has aged by 50 years.
The Quakers came and settled near
Old Isaiah Roth still preaches here,
That the greatest law is love
Some people say it's all a scam,
Just the ravings of some old man
But Isaiah Roth says he still can,
See Eden on the hill

Do no harm
Shed no blood
The only law here is love