The Ballad of the Judas Tree – A poem

The Ballad of the Judas Tree
By Ruth Etchells

In Hell there grew a Judas Tree

Where Judas hanged and died

Because he could not bear to see

His master crucified

Our Lord descended into Hell

And found his Judas there

Forever hanging on the tree

Grown from his own despair

So Jesus cut his Judas down

And took him in his arms

“It was for this I came” he said

“And not to do you harm

My Father gave me twelve good men

And all of them I kept

Though one betrayed and one denied

Some fled and others slept

In three day’s time I must return

To make the others glad

But first I had to come to Hell

And share the death you had

My tree will grow in place of yours

Its roots lie here as well

There is no final victory

Without this soul from Hell”

So when we all condemn him

As of every traitor worst

Remember that of all his men

Our Lord forgave him first.

Thoughts on this poem? Please comment.