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Month: November 2007

The Lost Book of the Law

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In Second Chronicles chapter thirty-four, we read about Josiah, who became king of Judah when he was eight years old. We read that “he did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah,” and “in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father.” He “began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the Asherim, and the graven images, and the molten images.” He destroyed idols and places of worship to false gods.

In the eighteenth year of his reign, Josiah had the temple repaired. Second Chronicles 34:14-33 says:

And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of Jehovah, Hilkiah the priest found the book of the law of Jehovah given by Moses. And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of Jehovah. Read More

Pæan of Joy

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What a wonderful day!
As I walked through the woods,
As I noticed where deer had late lain.
And I whistled a tune that nobody’s heard
And that no one will hear again.

On grass and on stone
Did my light footsteps tread,
As I marched through the rugged terrain.
And I whistled a tune that nobody’s heard
And that no one will hear again.

The mockingbird sang
(Oh that plagiarist bird!),
Sang the notes of my new-found refrain,
As I whistled a tune that nobody’s heard
And that no one will hear again.

With the gay sunshine bright
And the flower’s fair face,
My joy I could hardly contain,
As I whistled the tune that nobody’s heard
And that no one will hear again.

Then the southern wind blew,
And with fingers so light
Deftly caught up the notes of my strain,
While I whistled the tune that nobody’s heard
And that no one will hear again.

Though that tune is now gone,
And the notes in my head
Have since flown and no longer remain,
I was whistling for joy, and so therefore, I think
That my music was not made in vain.

In Western Lands

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The final part of “The Tale of Kutava,” continued from Part V

Having set out from our native shores upon a long and difficult voyage, we survived as best we could.  None of us were mariners (although we had gained some experience paddling down the Mikaluf), so we knew only vaguely the course our craft was taking, and we did our best to steer westward.  I believe we all had doubts about our chances of arriving at the ancestral home of the Kroats, but we maintained a spirit of optimism throughout.  However, by the time we sighted land after many months of roving the seas, we were thoroughly disgusted with our standard diet of fish and gulls, our supplies having run out long before.
Thou canst imagine our joy when we first sighted a stone turret jutting out of the mists, revealing our almost alarming proximity to land.  Our leather boat had indeed brought us across the ocean Svôsivik with minimal repairs, and for this we were thankful, yet we thought only of solid ground and the benefits thereof as we paddled into a windless haven.

Disembarking, we secured the boat and examined our surroundings.

‘Troth, this is a dismal place!’ exclaimed Ferondei.  ‘It doth not look like our homeland.’

‘When sawest thou the homeland before?’ said Aiĝif.  ‘I’ll warrant thee that we are equally clueless in this respect.’ Read More

Fifth of November

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Fifth of November

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In case you’re one of the many Americans who do not celebrate Guy Fawkes Day, let me catch you up on this exciting holiday celebrated throughout the British Commonwealth.

Way back in 1605, there was a plot made by the Catholics to set off some explosives and blow up the King of England as well as Parliament. Fortunately the conspirators were found out before the planned sabotage, and were executed along with their ringleader, Guy Fawkes. Today the holiday is celebrated the world around by bonfires and fireworks. The sentiment is well reflected in this famous rhyme:

Remember, remember, the fifth of November;
Fireworks, treason, and plot!
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.

In commemoration of that event so many years ago, I have written an instrumental piece of music for the piano, bowed psaltery, and hammered dulcimer. Enjoy!