Hymns can be tricky little things… A priest I knew a few years ago recounted the story (which from any other source I would have considered apocryphal) of a funeral he celebrated at a crematorium chapel. The family were not regular Mass-attenders and wanted a "nice" final hymn. They picked "Colours of day" without considering the first words of the chorus, which are: "So light up the fire, and let the flame burn…"
A tad too close for comfort. I risk fits of laughter whenever I have to sing that one.
Another hymn which can reduce me to a quivering wreck is one to Our Lady. In "Daily, daily, sing to Mary" the second verse runs:
"She is mighty to deliver;I love the hymn - but there is something terrible in me which forms the mental picture of Mary delivering a sharp right hook and completely flooring someone…
call her, trust her lovingly.
When the tempest rages round thee,
she will calm the troubled sea.
Gifts of heaven she has given,
noble lady, to our race:
she, the queen, who decks her subjects,
with the light of God’s own grace."
1 comment:
I've often smiled at this line with similar thoughts in mind.
Good luck with the blogspot Mac - I'm sure there will be lots to get teeth into here shortly.
God Bless.
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