11/15/24

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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