My favorite Advent carol is “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence.” It’s haunting! It almost seems prophetic, as I feel like that’s what this mortal is doing, “keeping silent.” Let me assure you, that’s not the case, but the past couple of weeks have been busy and they’ll probably stay that way until after Christmas. Instead of me doing a real post, I’m providing you two “youtube” links to two unique versions of this ancient chant. Enjoy.
Cynthian Clawson singing (outer space photos)
Helma Sawatzky (beautiful photos and lovely instrumental sections, but it cuts out after 3 minutes)
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By the way, have you noticed my new profile picture, one fitting for the winter season!
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I was out some this evening and wrote the following afterwards:
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A Winter's Night
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Even hidden behind clouds, the moon lightens the sky
and cast shadows of bare trees upon the snowy ground.
My steps crunch, as I walk through the woods,
listening to the winter wind whip through barren limbs,
drowning out the sound of pelting sleet,
a siren call to continue walking.
The poem is lovely, but "pelting sleet?" You really went out walking in that??!!
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of this song. But the 1st link, gosh it gave me goose bumps, and I found myself trembling. I dislike that feeling. The 2nd link is pretty good, the instrument parts sounded very Greek... or very Middle Eastern though.
ReplyDeleteNice poem.
I agree with The Real Mother Hen about the 2nd link. I love the instrumental part. It reminded me of a Lebanese wedding I was in back in the late 80s.
ReplyDeleteI love your poem. I'd love to see a pic of a real winter's night. By "real" I mean an evening of snow and bare branches.
I'm counting the days until January when my two favorite months for reading and being a homebody start.
ReplyDeleteI tuned in to see what was on 60 minutes only to see the Steelers win their division. Hopefully you weren't too busy to see that happen.
ReplyDeleteKenju, I wasn't out for long, but I wanted to be!
ReplyDeleteMother Hen, interesting that the two seem so different--there are many Gregorian Chant verisons of the carol too
Scarlet, I'll see what I can come up with!
Ed, this afternoon and early evening, I was with friends at a shack in the woods with no electricity, so I didn't see the game, but enjoyed the setting and the meal
Sage - I will not tell Big A that you missed the game but you better brush up on your 2008 football info if you want us to visit. ;-) The only reason the Stillers won was because of a questionable ref call that actually went their way. I doubt they are Super Bowl-bound.
ReplyDeleteLove your new profile pic!
ReplyDeleteYes, that is one of my favorites and that's saying something 'cause I'm a choral musician. It's one that hasn't been "done to death" during this season, which increases its meaning to me.It's "sister carol" is "Of the Father's Love Begotten", done a little more often but still enchanting with it's unmeasured measures.
ReplyDeleteHi sage, how are you?
ReplyDeleteNice poem from you.
Wishing you Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Take care. God Bless.
Murf, Believe! Don't country the 'Stillers out, just yet.
ReplyDeleteKaren, thanks. it was taken last season and we've not really had enough snow to x-country this year (they have a little closer to the lake)]
Susie, Thanks! I'm always being berated for loving haunting sounding music in minor keys, it's nice to know someone agrees with me
Venus, I'm doing well. Thanks.
Call me silly but I was expecting to sing-along in my hymn book! The first was totally unrecognizable and the second, although my favorite, took some odd turns by altering it into a middle eastern chant. Pretty cool.
ReplyDeleteGreat profile pic--I noticed it a while back but couldn't figure out how to tie my comment to the Panic of 1907.
ReplyDeleteThose were some nice selections. Reminded me of some of the Celtic music I listen to--a drone is a drone is a drone, I guess.
I'm like you. I have to be Blog silent for a while or I will not get it all done. Christmas falling on a Thursday is really going to sneak up on us. And with my studio opening the first of the year I can't seem to get it organized so Blogging will have go go for a while.
ReplyDeleteSo I hope you have a very merry Christmas. I did not have the advent things in the Baptist world I grew up in. But I enjoy it at the Presbyterian Church we attend. I still don't know it all yet but it is a nice new learning experience.
Wow....you are looking very Minnesotan there....."ja, ya betchya!"
ReplyDeleteBeautiful poem. Even if I don't feel the same love of winter you do :)
ReplyDeleteMaggie, that isn't in your hymnal? You need to get another one!
ReplyDeleteFantasy, is does have a celtic flavor (but a lot of celtic music is also in minor keys, me thinks)
Deana, Glad the Presbyterians are opening your eyes!
Mal, can you imagine "ay, ya betchyal" with a southern drawl? That profile pic doesn't look very December Minnesotan--unless you're like all over 65 who are in Florida.
TC, just 3 1/2 more months :)
Very poetic.
ReplyDeleteNew photo works too. All hunky-mountain-man-like. ;)
You'd have to be if you're voluntarily walking around in the pelting sleet.
Sure it is in my Methodist hymnal, but it didn't sound the same! :P Oh, love the tree!
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