Friday, December 23, 2011

Two Christmas Songs

Every year, the period leading up to Christmas through to the new year is usually a time of introspection for me - I don't know if it's a programmed response or what.

This year, Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd is my song to reflect on:




When I was a child I had a fever
My hands felt just like two balloons.
Now I've got that feeling once again
I can't explain you would not understand
This is not how I am.

I have become comfortably numb.

I am not a Christian but I've spent my whole life in a Christian culture and cannot help but be caught up in the Season.

To my Christian friends, I wish You a Blessed Christmas with your Loved Ones and offer you this Carol, Gaudete (Rejoice), composed in the 16th century and performed here by one of my favourite Folk Groups, Steeleye Span:



Gaudete, gaudete Christos est natus
Ex Maria virginae, gaudete.
Tempus ad est gratiae hoc quod optabamus,
Carmina laetitiae devote redamus.
Gaudete, gaudete Christos est natus
Ex Maria virginae, gaudete.
Deus homo factus est naturam erante,
Mundus renovatus est a Christo regnante.
Gaudete, gaudete Christos est natus
Ex Maria virginae, gaudete.
Ezecheelis porta clausa per transitor
Unde lux est orta sallus invenitor.
Gaudete, gaudete Christos est natus
Ex Maria virginae, gaudete.
Ergo nostra contio psallat jam in lustro,
Benedicat domino sallas regi nostro.
Gaudete, gaudete Christos est natus
Ex Maria virginae, gaudete.


Gaudete, gaudete! Christus est natus Ex Maria virgine, gaudete!
Rejoice, rejoice! Christ is born Of the Virgin Mary, rejoice!

.

22 comments:

  1. OK, you're definitely going to heaven when you die. Anybody who is a fan of Steeleye Span has got to be pretty bloody perfect... I've been a fan ever since I heard Gaudete in 1973, my first year in England. I have all their LP's (wassat?) with Sails of Silver being my favourite, particularly the title song, which makes me want to dance round the house. I've seen them live only a couple of times, but it was marvellous. My partner John, a classical man, isn't too keen though, he calls them Stainless Steel...
    Have a very happy Christmas Graham!
    Caroline

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  2. Haha ... thanks Caroline! ...

    ... I wish that I could have seen Steeleye Span live too Caroline ... I haven't seen anyone live except Trini Lopez of 'If I had a Hammer' fame ... remember him?

    I have a few of their LPs but no player ... :)

    You and John have a peaceful Christmas too hey.

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  3. You have great taste in music, Pink Floyd and Steeleye Span:) Sadly my connection is too slow to play videos! Guess you know all about slow connections!! Have a great Sunday. Diane

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  4. what an interesting combo - I do believe too many become comfortably numb after shopping at the malls.

    Thanks for the Christmas wish. I wish the best for you in the coming year.

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  5. I love that video Graham of the group Steeleye Span singing Gaudete. Beautiful.

    A very happy Christmas to you also my friend. Peace and Joy

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  6. Thanks Diane - best wishes and hope the snow stays away for you ... it's strangely unseasonal cold weather here ...

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  7. Thanks Bill - yup, I've seen news clips of the mall madness ...

    ... Best wishes to you.

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  8. Thanks Penny - I'm so glad you like the vid ...

    ... Peace and Joy to you too.

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  9. It's strangely unseasonal luke warm weather here LOL. Diane

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  10. Wow, they are amazing "steeleye span"..why haven't I heard them before?

    I picture them in period costumes suited to that time.

    I must say this time of year has no real impact on me other than it is time for snow. Today it finally snowed, giving us that correct christmas cheer one expects.
    yes.. I am not christian either but grew up surrounded by them and probably have enough christian guilt to keep me inline..thanks for introducing me to them..you are probably saying where has she been :)

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  11. Hehe Monica ... no, I don't wonder that ... out here in cyberspace I see things that I've never seen before but feel that I should have and I wonder where have I been ...

    Do you think that there will ever come a time when we run out of new songs to sing, or paintings to paint, or poems to write?

    I'm glad you've got your touch of Snow ... :)

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  12. Great Music!
    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
    Graham!

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  13. Merry Christmas Graham! I am so happy to have an access to this place where you share with us your vision of the life and your wonderful photographs. Thanks always for sharing. Have a wonderful 2012. My best regards for you!

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  14. Thank You Andrea - A merry Christmas and happy New Year too you.

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  15. Thank you Oswaldo - best wishes to you and your loved ones at this time.

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  16. Aaah. Steeleye Span. That takes me back. Makes a nice Christmas day to be thinking of those and run a few tunes in my head and think of old times. Best wishes to you. Kerry.

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  17. I left you a Liebster blog award over at my blog, www.tanzaniafivetimes.blogspot.com. It's one of those where to claim the award you have to choose your five favorite blogs and pass it on. I hope that's not a nuisance to you to get a chain letter like that, but your blog is really one of my favorites. So if it's not a nuisance, go and pick up the Liebster award, and if it is, just ignore it. But the compliment on my part is sincere!

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  18. Hello Graham,

    I am like Oswaldo, grateful to have an access to be here. I could never thank you enough for sharing the great wonders of your amazing land and its inhabitants. I do not like the song at all. What is the hit song by a local band? Give us that beat to dig.

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  19. Thanks Kerry - Best wishes to you and you loved ones too.

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  20. Thank you Barbara - though I don't normally do the 'Blog Award' thing I appreciate the shout-out that you've given me - it thrills me that my blog is one of your favourites and I hope to meet you here someday - it's not that far from Tanzania either hey ... :)

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  21. I thank you in return for reading my blog Fazlisa - there's nothing I like more than showing off this amazing country ...

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  22. Hi Graham .. delighted to see the words for Gaudete .. even though it's long after Christmas - great post -thank you .. Hilary

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