Tonight's prayer comes to us from the writings of Madeleine Delbrel (here and here). It's followed by two musical options - and I hope you'll all give each of them a chance...
To be a good dancer,
with you as with anyone else,
it's not necessary that we know where it will lead.
We only need to follow,
to be cheerful,
to be light,
and above all not to be stiff.
We don't have to ask you for explanations
about the steps that you choose to take.
We need to be like an extension of yourself,
about the steps that you choose to take.
We need to be like an extension of yourself,
quick and alive,
and pick up the rhythm of the music through you.
We must not desire to push ahead at all costs,
but allow ourselves to be spun,
We must not desire to push ahead at all costs,
but allow ourselves to be spun,
to be moved to the side.
We have to know how to pause and slide, and not walk.
We have to know how to pause and slide, and not walk.
And the steps would be rather clumsy
if they were not in harmony with the music.
But we tend to forget the music of your spirit,
and we turn our life into a gymnastic exercise;
we forget that, in your arms,
if they were not in harmony with the music.
But we tend to forget the music of your spirit,
and we turn our life into a gymnastic exercise;
we forget that, in your arms,
life is something to be danced,
that your Holy Will
that your Holy Will
is inconceivably creative,
and all monotony and boredom
is left to the old souls who play the wallflower
and all monotony and boredom
is left to the old souls who play the wallflower
in the joyful ball of your love.
Lord, come ask us to dance.
We're ready to dance this errand for you,
these accounts to do, this dinner to prepare,
this vigil to keep when we would prefer to sleep.
We're ready to dance for you the dance of work,
the dance of heat, and later the dance of cold.
the dance of heat, and later the dance of cold.
If certain melodies
are often played in the minor key,
we won't tell you that they're sad;
if others leave us a little breathless,
we won't tell you that they knock the wind out of us.
And if other people bump into us,
And if other people bump into us,
we'll take it with a good laugh,
knowing well that that's the sort of thing that happens
knowing well that that's the sort of thing that happens
when you're dancing.
Lord, teach us precisely where,
Lord, teach us precisely where,
in this endless novel
which has begun to unfold between you and us,
the peculiar ball of our obedience takes place.
Strike up the great orchestra of your designs
wherein everything you allow
sends its strange music
into the peace of your will.
Teach us every day to dress our human condition
which has begun to unfold between you and us,
the peculiar ball of our obedience takes place.
Strike up the great orchestra of your designs
wherein everything you allow
sends its strange music
into the peace of your will.
Teach us every day to dress our human condition
in the dancing gown you love to have us wear
adorned with all its details,
like so many priceless jewels.
Make us live our life
Make us live our life
not like a game of chess, where every move is calculated,
not like a contest, where everything is difficult,
not like a math problem, which makes our head hurt,
but like an endless celebration,
not like a math problem, which makes our head hurt,
but like an endless celebration,
where our meeting with you is constantly new.
Like a ball,
like a dance,
in the arms of your grace,
in the universal music of love,
Lord, ask us to dance.
like a dance,
in the arms of your grace,
in the universal music of love,
Lord, ask us to dance.
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.
Two musical options this evening...
1) Tonight's first song is based on the Song of Songs found in the Hebrew scriptures. The poetic imagery there speaks of love: between a man and woman; between the Lord and his chosen people, Israel; and between God and humankind.
2) Another option is Just by composer David Lang. This simple mantra is also sourced from the Song of Songs. Although the lyrics repeat over and over again that the Lover seeks "just" this and that from the beloved, indeed, the Lover desires the whole of the beloved - just as God desires all that we have... This piece is long, simple, repetitive and - prayerful for those who give themselves to it...
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Dance With Me, Lord by Paul Wilbur
performed by Lindell Cooley
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Dance with me, Oh, Lover of my soulTo the song of all songs
Romance me, Oh, Lover of my soulTo the song of all songs
Behold You have come
over the hills, up on the mountainTo me, You have run my Beloved, You've captured my heart
Dance with me, Oh, Lover of my soulTo the song of all songs
Romance me, Oh, Lover of my soulTo the song of all songs
With You I will go, You are my Love,
You are my Fair OneThe winter has passed
and the springtime has come
Dance with me, Oh, Lover of my soulTo the song of all songs
Romance me, Oh, Lover of my soulTo the song of all songs
Romance me, Oh, Lover of my soul To the song of all songs
Romance me, Oh, Lover of my soul To the song of all songs
Dance with me, Oh, Lover of my soulTo the song of all songs
from the film, Youth by Paolo Sorrentino
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Just your mouthJust your loveJust your anointing oilsJust your nameJust your chambersJust your love
And my mother's sonsAnd my own vineyardAnd my soulJust your flockJust your companionsJust your kids
Just your cheeksJust your neckJust your couchAnd my perfumeAnd my belovedAnd my breasts
And my belovedAnd my loveJust your eyesAnd my beloved
Our couchOur houseOur raftersAnd my loveAnd my beloved
Just your shadowJust your fruitJust your banner over meJust your left handJust your right handAnd my belovedAnd my beloved
Our wallAnd my belovedAnd my loveAnd my fair oneAnd my loveAnd my fair oneAnd my dove
Just your faceJust your voiceJust your voiceJust your faceOur vineyardsAnd my beloved
Just your flockAnd my belovedAnd my bedAnd my soulAnd my soulAnd my soulAnd my soulAnd my mother's house
Just your swordJust your motherJust your weddingJust your heartAnd my love
Just your eyesJust your veilJust your hairJust your teethJust your lipsJust your mouth
Just your cheeksJust your veilJust your neckJust your two breastsAnd my loveAnd my brideAnd my heartAnd my sisterAnd my brideAnd my heart
Just your eyesJust your necklaceJust your loveAnd my sisterAnd my bride
Just your loveJust your oilsJust your lipsAnd my bride
Just your tongueJust your garmentsAnd my sisterAnd my bride
Just your shootsAnd my gardenAnd my belovedAnd my gardenAnd my sisterAnd my bride
And my myrrhAnd my spiceAnd my honeycombAnd my honeyAnd my wineAnd my milk
And my heartAnd my belovedAnd my sisterAnd my loveAnd my doveAnd my perfect one
And my headAnd my locksAnd my garmentAnd my feetAnd my belovedAnd my hand
And my heartAnd my belovedAnd my handsAnd my fingersAnd my belovedAnd my belovedAnd my soulAnd my beloved
Just your belovedJust your belovedAnd my beloved
Just your headJust your locksJust your eyesJust your cheeksJust your lipsJust your arms
Just your bodyJust you legsJust your appearanceJust your speechAnd my belovedAnd my friend
Just your belovedAnd my belovedJust your gardenJust your flockAnd my belovedAnd my beloved
Just your flockAnd my love
Just your eyesJust your hairJust your teethJust your cheeksAnd my doveAnd my perfect oneAnd my motherAnd my fancyAnd my prince
Just your feetJust your rounded thighsJust your navelJust your bellyJust your two breastsJust your neckJust your eyesJust your nose
Just your headJust your flowing locksJust your breastsJust your breastsJust your breathJust your kissesAnd my beloved
Just your desireAnd my belovedAnd my loveOur doorsAnd my belovedAnd my mother's breastAnd my motherAnd my pomegranates
Just your left handJust your right handAnd my belovedJust your motherJust your heartJust your arm
Our sisterAnd my breastsJust your eyesAnd my vineyardAnd my very ownAnd my self
Just your voiceAnd my beloved
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