Last night (May 3rd) I attended the annual concert of the Mayo Concert Orchestra. My friends Anne Moriarty and Fionnuala Tynan are members and I was happy to see them “in action” with their colleagues. Indeed the MCO performed a concert in Kilmovee Parish Church to help with the celebration of its 150th Anniversary. The Orchestra was joined last night by some guest performers, including a singing group from Sligo called NoteOrious4. I recorded a few quick clips and thought I might share here. Well done to all involved.
Everywhere we look or listen this week, there have been reminders of the Titanic and, more tragically, its sinking one hundred years ago this night (14th April). I just had Mass in Urlaur and, by way of reflection and remembrance, shared a song I like a lot. It was written by Johnny McEvoy and tells of a meeting on the docks in Cobh between a young man and a newly married couple who were setting sail for New York. The teller of the story in song felt a sense of envy but also the need to wish the couple every good wish as they set out in search of their dream. There was however, a sound in the air, that left a question ……
We think of all the John Williams and their wives, of sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, fathers and mothers who shared that journey and possibly a dream. A hundred years has passed but it’s important to remember. Johnny McEvoy does well on that front. We’ll remember with him …..
When last I saw John Williams, a young man full of pride
His lovely bride of just four days was standing by his side
He smiled and took me by the hand, saying “Boyo can’t you see
I’ve seen the last of windswept bogs and bogs the last of me!
And the peelers and the landlords and the risings of the moon
And if ever I return again, ’twill be too bloody soon”
Rich man, poor man, beggar man, wife
Sailed away into the night
Where they’ll wind up no-one knows
Round and round the story goes
He said “I’ll go and take my chance in far off New York Town
For they say there’s lots of work there and a good man’s not put down
And with my lassie by my side we’ll build a better home
And when the sea trip’s over lads we never more will roam”
So we said farewell upon the quay, there was nothing left to do
But to pray for John and his lovely bride, that their dreams
might all come true
How I envied you, John Williams, and your lovely fair haired bride
To be sailing on that mighty ship across the ocean wide
For she’s the finest liner, that was ever built by man
And they say there’s naught can sink her, no not even God’s own hand
Man’s pride can be his own downfall, that big ship sailed form home
And I thought I heard the banshee cry, and it chilled me to the bone
Rich man, poor man, beggar man, wife
Sailed away into the night
Where they’ll wind up no-one knows
Round and round the story goes
Round and around the icebergs flow.
Got a few photos from Sunday’s Dawn Mass. Most were sent to me by Donal Byrne and some by James Hunt. I’ve added them to a YouTube clip. Thanks to both men for the photos ….
Erin Korves, a friend in Washington, sent me the sheet music for this song last week. Sadly I can’t read music at all but a YouTube search brought the song and Erin’s intention behind it to life! The introduction had taken place. Thanks Erin. Thought I’d share the song here for Holy Week 2012. There are few versions of it on YouTube but I like this one because it’s “live” and because the composer tells us something of its writing. I always like when that happens.
LYRICS
The gates and doors were barred And all the windows fastened down I spent the night in sleeplessness And rose at every sound Half in hopeless sorrow And half in fear the day Would find the soldiers breakin’ through To drag us all away
And just before the sunrise I heard something at the wall The gate began to rattle And a voice began to call I hurried to the window Looked down into the street Expecting swords and torches And the sound of soldiers’ feet
But there was no one there but Mary So I went down to let her in John stood there beside me As she told me where she’d been She said they might have moved Him in the night And none of us knows where The stone’s been rolled away And now His body isn’t there
We both ran toward the garden Then John ran on ahead We found the stone and empty tomb Just the way that Mary said But the winding sheet they wrapped Him in Was just an empty shell And how or where they’d taken Him Was more than I could tell
Oh something strange had happened there Just what I did not know John believed a miracle But I just turned to go Circumstance and speculation Couldn’t lift me very high ‘Cause I’d seen them crucify him Then I saw him die
Back inside the house again The guilt and anguish came Everything I’d promised Him Just added to my shame When at last it came to choices I denied I knew His name And even if He was alive It wouldn’t be the same
But suddenly the air was filled With a strange and sweet perfume Light that came from everywhere Drove the shadows from the room And Jesus stood before me With his arms held open wide And I fell down on my knees And I just clung to Him and cried
Then He raised me to my feet And as I looked into His eyes The love was shining out from Him Like sunlight from the skies Guilt in my confusion Dissappeared in sweet release And every fear I’d ever had Just melted into peace
He’s alive yes He’s alive Yes He’s alive and I’m forgiven Heaven’s gates are open wide He’s alive yes He’s alive Oh He’s alive and I’m forgiven Heaven’s gates are open wide He’s alive yes He’s alive Hallelujah He’s alive He’s alive and I’m forgiven Heaven’s gates are open wide He’s alive He’s alive He’s alive I believe it He’s alive Sweet Jesus
Happy Easter to you all. I’ve one more “thought” to go on Lent 2012 and might get to that later. Apart from about three days, managed to keep it going for the Lent! Thanks for your feedback and comments.
We had Mass this morning at Urlaur Abbey. It was a lovely morning – no sunshine admittedly – and people gathered in great numbers. Some told me there may have been upwards of 400 people there. I really can’t say for sure but there was a mighty gathering. Thanks be to God for that.
After Mass I saw a boat on the shore and was going to take a photo of it when I saw people walking towards it. A family! They told me they had come across the lake for the Mass. I thought that was so special and would love to think those children will have that as a memory for the rest of their lives. I went to take a photo of them but the camera was on video mode so there’s a short clip. I put it on YouTube just to mark the day. I’m sure the Lord would rejoice in the crowd there this morning and those who crossed the lake “to the other side”. He had done that himself more than once.
Thanks to Fr John Maloney for all his help in getting ready for the Mass and the many locals who prepared the Abbey surrounds etc. Anne Moriarty and a friend of her’s, Cathy, led us in song. All in all, it was a lovely start to Easter Sunday 2012. I want to say thanks as well to Jimmy Grennan, one of our older parishioners, who mentioned to me a few weeks ago “did you ever think of having a Dawn Mass at the Abbey?” I told Jimmy that I had but when I heard him say it, a whole new sense of purpose followed so, in many ways, it was his idea. Thanks for that.
A few people took photos so I’ll add some when they come to hand. For now, here’s one or two I took.
Some of the crowd gathering for Dawn Mass at Urlaur Abbey. 6am Easter Sunday.
Getting into the boat, he crossed to the other side .....
I was sent this last night and thought it might be worth an inclusion! Hard to believe this video clip was uploaded a week ago and has been viewed over a million times since then! I’m afraid I don’t have traffic like that!!
Do I dance? Alas, I have it in the head but can’t seem to get the message to the feet
I went into Ballaghaderreen earlier to the annual St Patrick’s Day Parade. There was a great turnout of people and of participants in the parade. Well done to all involved. I brought the camera and took a few photos. Well “few” is a bit of an understatement. When I came home and put them on the computer I realised I’d taken 411 There was nothing for it other than whittle them down a bit. That done, they’re posted on YouTube in four clips so if you have an interest, dip in and out of them. If not, no problem – Happy St Patrick’s Day. Below is a compilation of them all with “Through the eyes of an Irishman” sung by Dominic Kirwin.
When doing the newsletter for this weekend, I came across a web image of a mobile phone with a text message that ran “none b4 me srsly”!! It was a text message of the Commandment “I am the Lord your God you shall not put strange gods before me”. My fellow priest in the parish (John Maloney) wondered if all the commandments were available in this format. I did a bit of a search but didn’t find them. Anyway, decided to have a go so the video below is an attempt. We might come back to it at some stage and do it a bit better. For now, it’s a start ….. The song is “Try a little kindness” sung by Dominic Kirwin.
