Friday, December 4, 2020

stuff and bother

 I thought it would be nice to exercise my brain and do some memory work. This hymn was sung at Mass Sunday, it was the first Sunday of Advent, it's an Advent hymn, so. 

The words are in a book I've had for a number of years; I focus on a couple of lines every day, and at this point I've (almost) learned the first section. 

Wake, awake, for night is flying,
The watchmen on the heights are crying,
Awake, Jerusalem, at last!

Midnight hears the welcome voices
And at the thrilling cry rejoices:
Come forth, ye virgins, night is past!

The Bridegroom comes, awake,
Your lamps with gladness take, alleluja!
And for his marriage feast prepare
For ye must go to meet him there.


Okay. Today I thought of it, didn't have the book with me and couldn't remember something, so I googled the lyrics. I happened on a Catholic site, and - guess what?  Well, this song was written in another language. So, there are translations. So, I landed on a different translation. Oh, brother!

 A fine kettle of fish. Here I am, trying to do something worthwhile, and - this. I'm Catholic, I suppose I should know the Catholic version, the one which is sung in church. Except, I'm not sure which it was because last Sunday was before I started memorizing it. And the hymn books are gone, along with every else that's put away because of COVID. So. 

Then there's the fact that I have become attached to these words I've learned. Oh, for Pete's sake. 

8 comments:

  1. The choir director at your church likely knows which version you want. Why not try to make contact and ask?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did think of that. But if it's not a translation which appeals as much as the one I know - aaargh!

      Delete
  2. Aaargh! Oh, Lisa! Everything is so difficult now, isn't it? <3

    ReplyDelete
  3. True enough; but if you learn both, you will have an alternate version should you ever need one!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Lady, your opinion of my abilities is flattering, but for some reason I'm struggling with these lyrics. It would just be confusing to try to remember another one. :)

      Delete
  4. O that is a bother! I totally understand wanting to know the entire song in the translation that you know already!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think I'm going to have to just move on to another Advent song. Maybe this problem will straighten out later.

      Delete