NIGHT PRAYER: Friday 11/15

I was thinking today, Lord,

    of so many things I don't have to worry about...

 

  - like having a warm winter coat to wear

     and gloves with no holes in the fingers

      and new coats, boots and mittens and hats

       to outfit each of my children...

  - like a house with heat that I can afford

     and windows that keep out the rain and the snow

      and comfy pajamas for each of my kids

      and blankets to keep us all warm through the night...

       

  - like a job that pays me a living wage

      and money to cover the rent or the mortage

       and a car that will make it 'til spring comes 'round

        - and cash to buy presents for under the tree...

  - like peace of mind not cluttered by bills

     and Christmas joy not burdened with worry

      and hope for a new year kinder than last

       when things will be better, when all shall be well...

 

Such are the things I've been thinking of, Lord,

    things about which I've no need to worry

- except to get busy and find some ways

    I can ease my neighbors' burdens and cares...

 

Lord,

I've got the luxury of taking my time

    in supplying whatever I need for myself

but give me a strong, swift kick in the butt

    to reach out now to others' needs

        for facing the winter, for Christmas peace

            and for comfort and joy in the year to come...

Protect us, Lord while we're awake

    and watch over us while we sleep

that awake, we might keep watch with you

    and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen.

 

Some background on tonight's song and soul cakes:

 

In medieval Britain, around All Souls Day, the poor would visit the homes of the wealthy begging for food and coins, promising in return to pray for the souls of the homeowner's dead relatives.  The practice became known as souling. The trio of Peter, Paul and Mary helped turn this into a Christmas tune by adding a Christmas verse at the end of the song.  (While PP&M use "soal"  in the recording's title their sheet music for this song uses "soul." in the lyrics.)

 

A' Soalin' by Peter, Paul and Mary

 

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Hey ho, nobody home. 

Meat nor drink nor money have I none 

Yet shall we be merry 

Hey ho, nobody home 

(Meat nor drink nor money have I none) 

Hey ho, nobody home. 

Yet shall we be merry 

Hey ho, nobody home 

Hey ho, nobody home 

 

Soul, a soul, a soul cake, 

    please good missus a soul cake. 

An apple, a pear, a plum, a cherry, 

    any good thing to make us all merry, 

One for Peter, two for Paul, 

    three for Him who made us all 

 

God bless the master of this house, 

    and the mistress also 

And all the little children 

    that round your table grow 

The cattle in your stable 

    and the dog by your front door 

And all that dwell within your gates 

    we wish you ten times more 

 

Go down into the cellar 

    and see what you can find 

If the barrels are not empty 

    we hope you will be kind 

We hope you will be kind 

    with your apple and strawber' 

For we'll come no more a 'soulin'

     till this time next year 

 

The streets are very dirty, 

    my shoes are very thin 

I have a little pocket    

    to put a penny in 

If you haven't got a penny, 

    a ha' penny will do 

If you haven't got a ha' penny 

    then God bless you 

 

Now to the Lord sing praises 

    all you within this place 

And with true love and brotherhood 

    each other now embrace 

This holy tide of Christmas 

    of beauty and of grace 

Oh tidings of comfort and joy

 

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