Does anyone commemorate the Beheading of the John the Baptiser these days? Ive just finished a new hymn about John, that has three verses. One is a general/Advent John the Baptist, the second is the Baptism of Jesus, the third is the death of John and the call of Jesus to Go baptise all the world etc. It uses the tune Arnsberg which is or rather can be segmented, so I have written a segmented hymn. In a way, Ive written around the story rather than through it. There are plenty of holes in the narrative of the poem that Im hoping can/will be filled in by the singer/listener. I like the poem, and I hope it works. It almost needs an air of being open to your mind and spirit, to let the words mingle with the stories you know of John and so build up your understanding, and hopefully a new depth of faith experience. Or I could be dead wrong and the whole thing will never work - one doesnt know, really. Here it is: Standing in the Jordan 668 668 3366 - Arnsberg Standing in the Jordan, Waiting for Messiah, Washing clean our Earth-bound spirits. Eating honey, locusts, Girded with a loin-cloth, John, baptising, was foretelling: “God will come, Human form, Making straight the pathways, Crushing down the mountains!” Standing in the Jordan, Suddenly he sees Him: Jesus, cousin, is approaching! “John, will you baptise me?” “Not me, no, not worthy.” “Carry on as God has called you.” “This, my Child (Son), I am pleased! Let the heavens open, Show’ring all with blessings!” Standing in the dungeon, Knowing Herod’s mind-set, Knowing, too, his time is coming. Salomé’s distraction: “Bring it on a platter.” John was sent to God in heaven. “Go, baptise all the world, Father, Son, and Spirit; Maker, Saver, Breather!” August 2014 ©Paul Chappel (I couldnt find a good audio file of the tune. There are a couple out there but the ones I heard were too slow for me and I didnt like the harmonic alterations by the player. Didnt check YouTube, maybe I should).
Posted on: Wed, 06 Aug 2014 15:49:55 +0000
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015