Songs: Week of 25 December 2007
SWING DOWN, SWEET CHARIOT
One of the more famous Gospel songs (not to be confused with the even more famous spiritual, "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"). Elijah's assumption into Heaven becomes a model for a blessed death (though apparently Elijah didn't actually die).
Swing down, sweet chariot coming to carry me home. Why don't you swing down sweet chariot, stop, and let me ride (2), oh rock me Lord, rock me Lord, calm and easy, I've got a home on the other side. (2) Look over yonder, what did I see? Something like a chariot coming after me. Three white horses, side by side. Swing down chariot and let me ride. Why don't you swing down sweet chariot, stop, and let me ride, oh rock me Lord, rock me Lord, calm and easy, I've got a home on the other side. Met my mother this morning, coming up the hill so slow trying to get to Heaven in due time before the Heaven do close. Why don't you wake me, shake me, don't let me sleep too late. Trying to get to Heaven in due time before Heaven close. I'm bound for higher ground, I'm seeking the holy ground, can't remain on the surface, I'm bound for higher ground.
RASTA MAN
A Reggae song. References are to Elijah (on Mt. Carmel) and Joshua. "Rasta" refers to Rastafarianism, a Jamaican religion based on the idea that Solomon had a child with the Queen of Sheba. Thus Ethiopians and Jamaicans are descendents of the House of David, with the same Covenant (the Davidic Covenant).
It was Elijah who prayed that it did not rain. (He was a Rasta man.) He prayed and the rains came again. (He was a Rasta man.) It was Joshua who commanded the sun to stand still. (He was a Rasta man.) He did that according to his Master's will. (He was a Rasta man.) What a dread, dread whola one! The Rasta man comes from Zion.
NOW SHALL MY INWARD JOY
This hymn, by the American Colonial composer, William Billings, insures the Jewish people of God's everlasting covenant, proof that the temple and the city's walls shall be rebuilt, as shown in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.
Now shall my inward joy arise, and burst into a song. Almighty Love inspires my heart and pleasure tunes my tongue. God on his thirsty Zion Hill, some mercy drops has thrown and solemn oaths have bound his love to shower our salvation down. Why do we then indulge our fears, suspicions and complaints? Is he a God and shall his grace grow weary of his saints? Can a kind woman ever forget the infant of her womb and 'monst a tousand rtender thoughts her suckling have no room? Yet, saith the Lord, should Nature change and mothers monsters prove, Zion still dwells upon the heart of everlasting love. Deep on the palms of both my hands I have engraved her Name; my hands shall raise her ruined walls and build her broken frame.
SOMEBODY UP THERE LIKES ME
This is a actually the title song from a Paul Newman film. But the song is based on ideas that can be traced back to the assurance of a personal protection by God in God's promise to King David (the Davidic Covenant).
Somebody up there likes me, somebody up there cares, somebody up there knows my fears and hears my silent prayers, talks with me when I'm lonely, walks with me when the night is long, yes somebody up there likes me, whatever betide me, he'll comfort and guide me and stand beside right or wrong, he'll stand beside me right or wrong, as sure as he lights the stars, the earth and the gentle sea, I'm certain that somebody, yes somebody up there likes me!
SWING DOWN, SWEET CHARIOT
One of the more famous Gospel songs (not to be confused with the even more famous spiritual, "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"). Elijah's assumption into Heaven becomes a model for a blessed death (though apparently Elijah didn't actually die).
Swing down, sweet chariot coming to carry me home. Why don't you swing down sweet chariot, stop, and let me ride (2), oh rock me Lord, rock me Lord, calm and easy, I've got a home on the other side. (2) Look over yonder, what did I see? Something like a chariot coming after me. Three white horses, side by side. Swing down chariot and let me ride. Why don't you swing down sweet chariot, stop, and let me ride, oh rock me Lord, rock me Lord, calm and easy, I've got a home on the other side. Met my mother this morning, coming up the hill so slow trying to get to Heaven in due time before the Heaven do close. Why don't you wake me, shake me, don't let me sleep too late. Trying to get to Heaven in due time before Heaven close. I'm bound for higher ground, I'm seeking the holy ground, can't remain on the surface, I'm bound for higher ground.
RASTA MAN
A Reggae song. References are to Elijah (on Mt. Carmel) and Joshua. "Rasta" refers to Rastafarianism, a Jamaican religion based on the idea that Solomon had a child with the Queen of Sheba. Thus Ethiopians and Jamaicans are descendents of the House of David, with the same Covenant (the Davidic Covenant).
It was Elijah who prayed that it did not rain. (He was a Rasta man.) He prayed and the rains came again. (He was a Rasta man.) It was Joshua who commanded the sun to stand still. (He was a Rasta man.) He did that according to his Master's will. (He was a Rasta man.) What a dread, dread whola one! The Rasta man comes from Zion.
NOW SHALL MY INWARD JOY
This hymn, by the American Colonial composer, William Billings, insures the Jewish people of God's everlasting covenant, proof that the temple and the city's walls shall be rebuilt, as shown in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.
Now shall my inward joy arise, and burst into a song. Almighty Love inspires my heart and pleasure tunes my tongue. God on his thirsty Zion Hill, some mercy drops has thrown and solemn oaths have bound his love to shower our salvation down. Why do we then indulge our fears, suspicions and complaints? Is he a God and shall his grace grow weary of his saints? Can a kind woman ever forget the infant of her womb and 'monst a tousand rtender thoughts her suckling have no room? Yet, saith the Lord, should Nature change and mothers monsters prove, Zion still dwells upon the heart of everlasting love. Deep on the palms of both my hands I have engraved her Name; my hands shall raise her ruined walls and build her broken frame.
SOMEBODY UP THERE LIKES ME
This is a actually the title song from a Paul Newman film. But the song is based on ideas that can be traced back to the assurance of a personal protection by God in God's promise to King David (the Davidic Covenant).
STRONG AGAIN
This might have been written by David, who would soon become king and be "strong again." Or it might have been sung by Nehemiah and those who rebuilt Jerusalem's wall after King Cyrus of Persia allowed them to do so and they were "ready to go" from Babylon after the fifty-year Babylonian Exile.
Strong again, I'm ready to go. Strong again, I'm ready to go. Strong again, I'm ready to go. You can't stop me, I'm ready to go. Strong again, I'm ready to go. Strong again, I'm ready to go. Strong again, I'm ready to go. You can't stop me, child, I'm ready to go. Everyone tried to trip me up, I've had to drink from a bitter cup. I've been as low as I've ever been. But that was then, now I'm strong again. Strong again, child, I'm ready to go. Strong again, I'm ready to go. You know, I've been low as I've ever been. That was then, child, I'm strong again. I'm ready to move, I'm ready to go. I'm a child of God, 'cause that's how it's so. Lord if you need me, just say when. Choose me and use me, I'm strong again. Strong again, I'm ready to go. Strong again, I'm ready to go. Choose me, use me, I'm strong again. Just say when Lord, I'm strong again! Choose me, use me, use me Lord, I'm strong again. Fit for service, fit for your use. Use me Lord, I'm strong again. Strong again, I'm ready to go. Strong again, I'm ready to go. You can' t stop me, I'm ready to go. You can't stop me, I'm ready to go.This might have been written by David, who would soon become king and be "strong again." Or it might have been sung by Nehemiah and those who rebuilt Jerusalem's wall after King Cyrus of Persia allowed them to do so and they were "ready to go" from Babylon after the fifty-year Babylonian Exile.
CRYING IN THE CHAPEL
A 1960 recording by Elvis Presley became a big hit when finally released as a single in 1964. Elvis' recording can be heard here; another recording by the Gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson, can be heard here. A "chapel" is a private church or a special section of a church used for prayer. The point of the song is the need for separate communion with God. The word "temple" is related to the word "time": time separated from regular worldly time in order to worship God.
A 1960 recording by Elvis Presley became a big hit when finally released as a single in 1964. Elvis' recording can be heard here; another recording by the Gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson, can be heard here. A "chapel" is a private church or a special section of a church used for prayer. The point of the song is the need for separate communion with God. The word "temple" is related to the word "time": time separated from regular worldly time in order to worship God.
You
Every sinner looks for something That will put his heart at ease There is only one true answer He must get down on his knees Meet your neighbor in the chapel Join with him in tears of joy Youll know the meaning of contentment Then youll be happy with the lord Youll search and youll search But youll never find No way on earth To gain peace of mind Take your troubles to the chapel Get down on your knees and pray Your burdens will be lighter And you'll surely find the way.
HAMAN'S ARIA
Though German, Handel mastered Italian opera, then, in England, invented the English oratorio with Esther, the first of many, including Messiah. (The English oratorio made greater use of the chorus.) We hear Haman's plot to kill Jews. It's interesting to note that antisemitism, as we know it today, began during the Diaspora (dispersion) of the Jews that began with the Babylonian Captivity and later in the Persian period. It appears in the book of Daniel and in the book of Esther, because Jews refused to honor local gods.
It is decreed all the Jewish race shall bleed. Hear and obey what Haman's voice commands. Let Jewish blood dye every hand, let Jewish blood dye every hand. Nor age nor sex I spare, no age nor sex I spare. No age nor sex I spare. Raze, raze, raze, their temples to the ground and let their place no more be found.Though German, Handel mastered Italian opera, then, in England, invented the English oratorio with Esther, the first of many, including Messiah. (The English oratorio made greater use of the chorus.) We hear Haman's plot to kill Jews. It's interesting to note that antisemitism, as we know it today, began during the Diaspora (dispersion) of the Jews that began with the Babylonian Captivity and later in the Persian period. It appears in the book of Daniel and in the book of Esther, because Jews refused to honor local gods.
SHILOH
The tune, "Shiloh," is a hymn on the birth of Jesus by the American Colonial composer, William Billings. Tunes used to be given special titles with no relation to the lyrics. "Shiloh" refers to an early Israelite shrine, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept before being moved to Jerusalem. When the site was destroyed by the Philistines, the Shilonite priests moved to Nob, where they were killed by King Saul, except for Abiathar, later killed by King Solomon for supporting Adonijah's claim to the throne. In this way, the Shilonite priesthood lost its power, replaced by the Jerusalem priesthood starting with Zadok, who supported Solomon.Methinks I see an heavenly host of angels on the wing. Methinks I hear their cheerful notes, So merrily they sing, so merrily they sing. Let all your fears be banished, glad tidings I proclaim, for there is a savior born today and Jesus is his name and Jesus is his name.
Puer Natus in Bethlehem alleluia Unde Gaudet Jerusalem, Alleluia, alleluia
A child is born in Bethlehem, alleluia So leap with joy Jerusalem alleluia, alleluia
CHORUS: In cordis jubilo, Christum natum adoremus, Cum novo cantico
CHORUS: A new song let us sing For Christ is born, let us adore and let our gladness ring.
Assumpsit carnem filius, Alleluia Dei Patris altissimus, Alleluia, Alleluia
The shepherds hear the angel's word, alleluia This child is truly Christ the Lord, alleluia, alleluia
De Matre Natus Virgine, alleluia Qui lumen est day lumine, allelluia, alleluia
From virgin's womb this child is born, alleluia The light from light who brings the dawn, alleluia, alleluia.
Puer Natus
"A Child Is Born" is a famous Gregorian chant on the birth of Jesus, also adapted in "New Age" style by Aine Minogue. Latin and English verses are included. (Compare English cognates, or related words: puerile [childish]; puberty [young adulthood]; nativity; native; natural; nature.) "Alleluia" is the Greek form of Hallelujah.
"A Child Is Born" is a famous Gregorian chant on the birth of Jesus, also adapted in "New Age" style by Aine Minogue. Latin and English verses are included. (Compare English cognates, or related words: puerile [childish]; puberty [young adulthood]; nativity; native; natural; nature.) "Alleluia" is the Greek form of Hallelujah.
Puer Natus in Bethlehem alleluia Unde Gaudet Jerusalem, Alleluia, alleluia
A child is born in Bethlehem, alleluia So leap with joy Jerusalem alleluia, alleluia
CHORUS: In cordis jubilo, Christum natum adoremus, Cum novo cantico
CHORUS: A new song let us sing For Christ is born, let us adore and let our gladness ring.
Assumpsit carnem filius, Alleluia Dei Patris altissimus, Alleluia, Alleluia
The shepherds hear the angel's word, alleluia This child is truly Christ the Lord, alleluia, alleluia
De Matre Natus Virgine, alleluia Qui lumen est day lumine, allelluia, alleluia
From virgin's womb this child is born, alleluia The light from light who brings the dawn, alleluia, alleluia.
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