Litany of Saints

I have been looking for this for such a long time.

It is a beautiful rendition of the Litany of Saints. This solemn prayer and invocation brings to mind the multitude of holy people that have come and gone before us. They show us a way to our God and that a life of holiness is not unachievable.

And as we recall each and everyone of these men and women of God, we pray that they will help us in our own pilgrimage.

Listen to the Litany of Saints and tell me what you think.

Holy Darkness

At long last, I have this song. This has been in my mind since I heard it during Mass on Holy Thursday. This was during the adoration of the Eucharist before it was taken away for Good Friday.

Just listen to it and the words. Tell me what you think.

Holy Darkness-John Michael Talbot

If you want the lyrics, let me know and I can leave it here.

Addition 9 Aug 07

Holy Darkness
by Dan Schutte

Holy darkness, blessed night,
heaven's answer hidden from our sight.
As we await you, O God of silence,
we embrace your holy night.

1. I have tried you in fires of affliction;
I have taught your soul to grieve.
In the barren soil of your loneliness,
there I will plant my seed.

2. I have taught you the price of compassion;
you have stood before the grave.
Though my love can seem
like a raging storm,
this is the love that saves.

3. Were you there
when I raised up the mountains?
Can you guide the morning star?
Does the hawk take flight
when you give command?
Why do you doubt my pow'r?

4. In your deepest hour of darkness
I will give you wealth untold.
When the silence stills your spirit,
will my riches fill your soul.
5. As the watchman waits for morning,
and the bride awaits her groom,
so we wait to hear your footsteps
as we rest beneath your moon.

Only in God

11 weeks 6 Days

The title of the post is the title of the song as well. This, done by John Michael Talbot is in describable. Listen to it, meditate on the lyrics taken off Psalm 62 and let yourself be filled with the wonderful meaning in the message it is bringing across.

Equally inspirational is the biography of John Michael himself. You can read more about it at this website

Treat yourself to the music in the video below and let me know what you think.

Suicide is Painless

The theme song of one of the greatest movie and series in television history, M*A*S*H. Most people who have watched the series will know the tune but may not know that there is title and lyrics to the song. So here it is...

Suicide is Painless

Music - Johnny Mandel
Lyrics - Mike Altman
Released 1970

Through early morning fog I see
visions of the things to be
the pains that are withheld for me
I realize and I can see...

Refrain:
that suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
and I can take or leave it if I please.


I try to find a way to make
all our little joys relate
without that ever-present hatebut now I know that it's too late, and...


The game of life is hard to play
I'm gonna lose it anyway
The losing card I'll someday lay
so this is all I have to say.


The only way to win is cheat
And lay it down before I'm beat
and to another give my seat
for that's the only painless feat.


The sword of time will pierce our skins
It doesn't hurt when it begins
But as it works its way on in
The pain grows stronger...watch it grin, but...


A brave man once requested me
to answer questions that are key
is it to be or not to be
and I replied 'oh why ask me?'


'Cause suicide is painless
it brings on many changes
and I can take or leave it if I please.
...and you can do the same thing if you please.

Hallelujah

You may have first heard this song in the cartoon Shrek, or more recently in the final episode of Season 1 of the OC and probably in a few more other television series or movies which I do not know about.

If you trawl the internet, there are also many covers of the original version written by Leonard Cohen. Jeff Bucklel, Rufus Wainwright, John Cale, KD Lang are among the more common versions you will come across. While you do not have to come to a conclusion on who has the best voice or brings across the emotion of the song best, it is good for you to take a look at the lyrics and make an attempt to see what it means to you.

For me, it never fails to bring up the same emotions listening to the haunting tune and lyrics. Hear it:

Hallelujah - John Cale

The version of the lyrics also differ with the original lyrics in 1984 reflected immediately below. The words convey a rich meaning with many biblical references. The song was released again in 1988 with significantly different lyrics, in my opinion, not having the same level and depth of religious significance. Most covers take a combination of both the versions. I have yet to find the original song.


Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen 1984 Various Positions

Now I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew her
She tied you
To a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

You say I took the name in vain
I don't even know the name
But if I did, well really, what's it to you?
There's a blaze of light
In every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
And even though
It all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah

and here is a different version...

Hallelujah - 1988 Cohen Live

Baby, I've been here before.
I know this room, I've walked this floor.
I used to live alone before I knew you.

Yeah I've seen your flag on the marble arch,
But listen, love is not some kind of victory march,
No it's a cold and it's a very broken Hallelujah.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, (Hallelujah...)

There was a time you let me know
What's really going on below,
Ah but now you never show it to me, do you?

Yeah but I remember, yeah when I moved in you,
And the holy dove, she was moving too,
Yes every single breath that we drew was Hallelujah.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

Maybe there's a God above,
As for me, all I've ever seemed to learn from love
Is how to shoot at someone who outdrew you.

Yeah but it's not a complaint that you hear tonight,
It's not the laughter of someone who claims to have seen the light
No it's a cold and it's a very lonely Hallelujah.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

I did my best, it wasn't much.
I couldn't feel, so I learned to touch.
I've told the truth, I didn't come all this way to fool you.

Yeah even tough it all went wrong
I'll stand right here before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my lips but Hallelujah.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

The Summons

The Summons

1. Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don't know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown? Will you let my name be known,
will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

2. Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?

3. Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean and do such as this unseen,
and admit to what I mean in you and you in me?

4. Will you love the "you" you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you've found to reshape the world around,
through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?

5. Lord your summons echoes true when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
In Your company I'll go where Your love and footsteps show.
Thus I'll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

Above All

Above all powers above all kings
Above all nature and all created things
Above all wisdom and all the ways of man
You were here before the world began

Above all kingdoms above all thrones
Above all wonders the world has ever known
Above all wealth and treasures of the earth
There's no way to measure what You're worth

Chorus:
Crucified, laid behind the stone
You lived to die rejected and alone
Like a Rose trampled on the ground
You took the fall and thought of me
Above all

Above all powers above all kings
Above all nature and all created things
Above all wisdom and all the ways of man
You were here before the world began

Above all kingdoms above all thrones
Above all wonders the world has ever known
Above all wealth and treasures of the earth
There's no way to measure what You're worth


Crucified, laid behind the stone
You lived to die rejected and alone
Like a Rose trampled on the ground
You took the fall and thought of me
Above all


Like a rose trampled on the groud
You took the fall and thought of me
Above all

You have to hear this song to believe that the words can bring tears to your eyes. Read the lyrics and experience the richness of the meaning that they convey.

Enjoy...

Ancient Words

There are songs which have a pleasant tune and may even be catchy enough for you to hum along to. And then there are those that entice you to look at the words that accompany the tune. These words mean so much and each time you meditate on the words, you gain so much...

I first heard this this during my Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA) class during the presentation of the Bible to the inquirers. Take some time to mull over what it says.

Enjoy

Ancient Words

Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world,
They resound with god's own heart
Oh, let the ancient words impart.

Words of life, words of hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e'er we roam
Ancient words will guide us home.

Chorus:
Ancient words ever true
Changing me, and changing you.
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.

Holy words of our faith
Handed down to this age.
Came to us through sacrifice
Oh heed the faithful words of christ.

Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world.
They resound with god's own heart
Oh let the ancient words impart.

Chorus x4

We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.

Alegria

Why am I blogging about music today...I don't know. I was just listening so some of these old Cirque du Soleil tracks when it stuck me that I really liked a few of the songs found in their shows. 2 in particular will I remember. The first is from the show Alegria, entitled Alegria.

This five minute and forty-three second masterpiece is from the show, Alegria, meaning in Spanish, "Jubilation". The song itself has three parts, beginning in Italian,interludingg in English and concluding in Spanish. The song begins with light almost bell sounding percussions and by the time the chorus kicks in explodes in any orgy of splendor and strings the likes of which Vivaldi could only dream of.

The singer's voice can only be described as enchanting. It is powerful and clear with a raspy sore-throat like quality to it which makes it sound raw and real. Francesca Gagnon is the singer's name.

Try it and see....