Sunday, October 12, 2014

Humble Stumble: Hymns for Imperfect Saints: "Hymn"

I have a started a new project in conjunction with my "The Humble Stumble: Lessons on Simplicity, Stillness, Fashion and Faith from a Bad Quaker" book. It's on Spotify -- "Humble Stumble: Hymns for Imperfect Saints."

I'll add a "hymn" a day.  

These are not "hymns" in the traditional sense. Rather they're songs that have spoken to my soul in a spiritual sense -- even if they are not "spiritual songs" per se. Though my bias is that that our hearts hunger for beauty and meaning and when artists create something that sings deep in our souls, well, they've created a "hymn," even if it was unintentional.

Suggestions of songs that have spoken deeply to you are welcome!

I'll also post lyrics and video (when available) here.

For today, since it's Sunday (or Firstday as we ole Quakers say) here's Peter, Paul and Mary – Hymn  I've loved this song since I first heard it (and quickly learned to play it on the guitar) back in the '60s.

"Hymn"

Sunday morning, very bright
I read Your book by colored light
That came in through the pretty window picture

I visited some houses
Where they said that You were living
And they talked a lot about You
And they spoke about Your giving

They passed a basket with some envelopes
I just had time to write a note
And all it said was I believe in You

Passing conversations
Where they mentioned Your existence
And the fact that
You had been replaced by Your assistants

The discussion was theology
And when they smiled and turned to me
All that I could say was I believe in You

I visited Your house again
On Christmas or Thanksgiving
And a balded man said You were dead
But the house would go on living

He recited poetry
And as he saw me stand to leave
He shook his head and said I'd never find You

My mother used to dress me up
And while my dad was sleeping
We would walk down to Your house without speaking


Noel Paul Stookey's website is at http://www.noelpaulstookey.com/
Peter Yarrow's website is at http://peteryarrow.net/

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