Day 58: "Amazing Grace" by John Newton

I heard an amazing arrangement of this song last night as a presentation for the Freedom Festival going on this week. What the narrator said was true. He said, "John Newton did not know that this song would and has inspired the English speaking world for centuries..." And it's true. When I saw Amazing Grace, the movie about William Wilberforce with my roommates, we sang the song for days. I also plan to read the book someday soon--maybe even as part of the 100...we'll see :). Anyway, I haven't been able to get this song out of my head, and, most people don't know this, but here's a little patriotic trivia...The song has 6 verses, with a repeat often of the first verse at the end. It was written during Wilberforce's campaign to end slavery in England by John Newton, a man who was once a slave ship captain who found religion and became an Anglican priest. I hope that this inspires and gives hope to everyone out there this week as we remember our freedoms and the sacrifices given to make us and keep us free.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

---

Day 57: Faith

Matthew 9:28-29:
28. And when he was come into the house, the blind men came unto him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.
29. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

Hebrews 10:36-37:
36. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
37. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

11:6:
6. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them who diligently seek him.

3 Nephi 11:5-6:
5. And again the third time they did hear the voice, and did open their ears to hear it; and their eyes were towards the sound thereof; and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, from whence the sound came.
6. And behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard...

D&C 121: 7:
7. And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee, if thou be cast into the deep: if the billowing surge conspire against thee: if fierce winds become thine enemy: if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way: and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son/daughter, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.

Day 56: A Broken Looking-Glass

I was interested in this story by the title initially...I had never read anything by Henry Harland before. Wow, is all I have to say. At first I thought it was about a wasted life, an old man who felt that he had failed, that his life was worthless. It was that, but then it took a twist and turned into something more haunting--a love story. Not the creepy, Poe-like haunting love stories...It was something macabre, but also sad, and real. Unlike Poe's stories of death and obsession, this one had possibilities of truth. A man loves a woman who does not love him, and then she falls ill and dies--in this, he feels that he has failed the most, for he feels that if she had married him she would not have died. How connected humans are to each other, how strong is love but also how so very fragile. Man is made to know his emotions to be able to think, but what is love but at first a deep emotion that drives us to feel deeply, so deep that we live as in a dream at first. And then we come back to reality...the life that we have always lived, but with another by our side. How sad and yet so real was this story, because we have all been there; we have all had the clouds of uncertainty and grief hang over us, even if we were caught unawares. Do not let your love die, in the sense that we must have love burn bright in our hearts for our fellow men; trust in God and be believing, and you will make something of yourself for the better, whether married or not.

Day 55: "The Gypsy" and "Forgiveness" from Jane Eyre : The Musical

I saw Jane Eyre: The Musical, last night...and it was amazing. Our Rochester and Jane were of course amazing, and I think that our Jane Eyre was better than the girl on the CD. I enjoyed it so much, and Julie, the friend that has been staying with me this week, and I found a flyer in the HFAC. On a spontaneous journey, we went with our friend Muriel all the way to Salt Lake to the Rose Wagner Theatre and saw it...Let me tell you, it was definitely worth fourteen dollars. I'm so glad we did it--It was one of the best spontaneous decisions i have ever made. Anyway, here are my two favorite songs from the musical. The first one is when an old gypsy woman (who is actually Rochester) "enters" Thornfield and reads the fortunes of all the young ladies in the house, including Jane's. It is so great when he reveals himself, and the falsetto is so hard to do...I just can't get over it!

ROCHESTER
I see a flame in the palm of your hand
Oh sister
You're peevish and puny and spoiled and bland
Oh sister
You have no principles
You have no taste
Your education was truly a waste
Don't be upset, girls, this has to be faced
Sweet sisters
I see a man in your future, my dear
Auspicious
But his claims of wealth and title I fear
Fictitious
You marry the scoundrel, and soon after that
You bear him a child and then you get fat
Lucky for you he leaves both of you flat
Dear lady
I see a journey you're planning to take
Oh sister
Believe me, my child, it's a fatal mistake
Oh sister
The road holds great danger
You'd better stay here
There's someone you long to be close to, my dear
He's not so far out of reach as you fear
Dear sister

JANE
And who might he be, mother?

ROCHESTER
I'm getting tired of this masquerade
Oh sister
Do you forgive me for this odd charade
Dear sister...

The next one is "Forgiveness" when Helen Burns is teaching Jane to forgive her terrible aunt and all those who have mistreated her. I find so much hope in this song, and it is also musically beautiful.

HELEN
You mustn't be revengeful
You have to be strong
To offer good for evil
Return right for wrong
We must not hold a grudge
And we must learn to endure
Then as God is your judge
At least your heart will be pure
Forgiveness
Is the mightiest sword
Forgiveness of those you hate
Will be your highest reward
When they bruise you with words
When they make you feel small
When it's hardest to bear
You must do nothing at all
Forgiveness
Is the simplest vow
Forgiveness
Of all their crimes
Is your deliverance now
Bless those souls
Who would curse your name
When the last bell tolls
You'll be free of blame
You can continue to grieve
But know the Gospel is true
You must forgive those who lie
And bless them that curse you
Forgiveness
Is the mightiest sword
Forgiveness of those you hate
Will be your highest reward
The time will come when we will leave this world,
and then the injustice and the pain and the sin will fall away from us,
and only the spark of the spirit will remain - returning to God who created it
You must never lose faith
You must never lose heart
God will restore your trust
And I know you're afraid
I'm as scared as you are
But willing to be brave
Brave enough for love

Day 54: Chanson Spirituelle by Margurite of Navarre

This is an interesting poem, because while it tells you about the illness of a king, the author further addresses the interests of the state and further tells of Navarrian life through the "untold" parts of the poem. For example, something that is implied is that she is a woman of wealth and station, for the lay people, the working classes in that great divide between rich and poor, could not read and probably could not write either. It also follows that she holds to the beliefs of that time that if the king was ill, so was the kingdom. Also the title, literally translated, means "Spiritual Song", but this is not a set of lyrics--it's a poem, and also in French. I also thought the subtitle was interesting "Thinking by the Seine during the king's illness"...That she had time to think at all is something to ponder on.

Day 53: "Smile" by Charlie Chaplin

Ok, I realize that this week has been a week full of lyrics, but I can't mention the blog today without also mentioning that my friend Julie and I sang in the HFAC (the music and arts hub at BYU) today, and while we were there in the practice rooms she sang this song and I accompanied. It's one of my favorites anyway, and although it might sound sad, I am not. I actually find it very soothing.

Smile tho' your heart is aching,
Smile even though it's breaking,
When there are clouds in the sky-
You'll get by...
If you smile through your fear and sorrow,
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through for you...
Light up your face with gladness,
Hide ev'ry trace of sadness--
Altho' a tear may be ever so near...
That's the time you must keep on trying,
Smile- What's the use of crying...
You'll find that life is still worthwhile,
If you just smile.

Day 52: "Innocent" by Our Lady Peace

I'm not sure why I am choosing this for my blog today, or why it's been in my head for the last little while...It's also kind of an interesting song, because emotionally you can take it either way--either hopeful or depressing. I'm choosing the hopeful side for today, so know (for those of you who have been with me throughout my journey) that I am well, except for a small bout of the flu that I hope will pass quickly. Oh, and an author by the name of Diane Thomas (She has some really good work, look her up and look at her website--she recently wrote a book called "The Year the Music Changed") gave me some advice. She said tell everyone you know that you want to be an editor, because you never know who might be out there who can help you. And so I shout to all those out there who are listening-- I WANT TO BE AN EDITOR! I would love to be an editor for a book publishing company...That would be so amazing. So I say to all of my friends, neighbors and new friends that I hope to meet someday, if you have anything you need edited, send it to me, give me a deadline and I will do my best to make it better. Keep your ears perked and eyes peeled, and if you hear or see anything. Thanks guys!

Anyway, here are the lyrics:

"Innocent"

Oh, Johnny wishes he was famous
Spends his time alone
In the basement
With Lennon and Cobain
A guitar and a stereo
While he wishes he
Could escape this
It all seems so contagious
Not to be yourself and faceless
In a song that has no soul

[Chorus:]
I remember feeling low
I remember losing hope
I remember all the feelings
And the day they stopped
We are,
We are all innocent, we are all innocent
We are, we are, we are
We are all innocent, we are all innocent
We are, we are

Oh, Tina’s losing faith in what she knows
Hates her music
Hates all of her clothes
Thinks of surgery
And a new nose
Every calorie is a war
While she wishes she
Was a dancer
And that she'd never
Heard of cancer
She wishes God would give her
Some answers
And make her feel beautiful

[Chorus]

One day
You'll have to let it go,
Oh
One day
You'll stand up on your own, you'll stand up on your own
Yeah
Remember losing hope,
Remember feeling low,
Remember all the feelings and the day they stopped

We are,
We are all innocent, we are all innocent
We are, we are, we are,
We are all innocent, we are all innocent
We are, we are

We are,
We are all innocent
(One day, you'll have to let it go, you'll have to let it go)
We are all innocent
We are, we are, we are,
We are all innocent, we are all innocent
We are, we are

We are,
We are all innocent
(One day, you'll stand up on your own, stand up on your own)
We are all innocent
We are, we are, we are,
We are all innocent, we are all innocent
We are, we are

We are... we are all innocent...

So go out and do something that might seem crazy and intense...if you feel like you should do it, do it! You never know what might happen!