Apr
22
2009
A Hymn for Earth Day (and Easter)
On this 39th celebration of Earth Day, it doesn’t hurt to go back a few hundred years for some perspective. (Thank you, Melanie!)
![[CC License via Flickr]](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3640/3347686892_8978c22a21.jpg "tulip blossoms")
Awake, Thou Wintry Earth
J. S. Bach (from Cantata 129)
(1685-1750)
Awake, thou wintry earth,
Fling off, fling off thy sadness.
Ye vernal flowers, laugh forth,
laugh forth your ancient gladness.
Fling off, fling off thy sadness.
Ye vernal flowers, laugh forth,
laugh forth your ancient gladness.
A new and lovely tale
Throughout the land is sped,
Throughout the land is sped,
It floats o’er hill and dale
To tell that death is dead.
To tell that death is dead.
Descended to the grave,
Where our beloved lie sleeping,
Hath Christ returned to save
Man’s heart from woe and weeping.
Where our beloved lie sleeping,
Hath Christ returned to save
Man’s heart from woe and weeping.
O earth, break forth and sing,
Renew thy bright array,
With fairest blooms of spring
Bestrew the Savior’s way.
(Thomas Blackburn)
Tags: Bach, God's Grandeur
God's Creation | Ed | 22 April 2009 |
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Jene' Aurant — April 22, 2009 @ 9:11 pm
By Cris Bisch, April 22, 2009 @ 12:39 pm
Ed, thank you for sharing “Awake Thou Wintry Earth”. I have a sweet little book published in 1880, “Garden Graith” by Sarah F. Smiley. She quotes the British priest and poet, John Keble:
“What seems an idol hymn, now breathes of Thee,
Tuned by Faith’s ear to some celestial melody.”
“There’s not a strain to memory dear,
Not flower in classic grove,
There’s not a sweet note warbled here,
But minds us of Thy Love.
O Lord, our Lord, and spoiler of our foes,
There is no light by Thine; with Thee all beauty glows.”