An Autumn Thought

Dead leaves seem to be more alive than live ones, at least in autumn, when they are blown about by the wind and they can be seen dancing this way and that. I wonder if that is the way our souls are-- that once we let go and are completely dead to self and free from the worldly things, perhaps the Holy Spirit can move us with much more grace and liveliness...

What 'Catchy' Tunes Get Us Listening To...

Many songs are composed in this day and age, and most are just plain ugly. However, every once in a while, you come across one that is really appealing. Of course, one likes to learn the lyrics to sing along with this rare find. That's when the disappointment, or even disgust, comes in - the writer has slipped in immorality cleverly sugarcoated by the good music. Many people don't realize the garbage they listen to because they don't look far enough into the lyrics.

Here is an example of a catchy tune, and what they have done to it. Comments in parentheses are my own additions.

"I'm Yours"
by Jason Mraz

Well you've done done me (what does that mean? I'm sure I can take a guess...) and you bet I felt it
I tried to be chill but you're so hot that I melted (another clue?)
I fell right through the cracks
and now I'm trying to get back
Before the cool done run out
I'll be giving it my bestest
Nothing's going to stop me but divine intervention
I reckon its again my turn to win some or learn some (so what's he going to do? I'm confused)

I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait, I'm yours

Well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find love love love
Listen to the music of the moment people dance and sing, were just one big family
It's our God-forsaken right to be loved love loved love love
(Last I checked, God IS love. therefore, to be loved can never be God-forsaken....There is only one kind of 'love' that is God-forsaken, and it's not love at all.)

So I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait I'm sure
There's no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours

Do you want to, come on, scootch over closer dear
And I will nibble your ear

(Ok, so this is pretty gross. And how about-- instead of the song being called 'I'm Yours' how about 'Haha, I've Got You Sweetie and You're All MINE to Do Whatever I Feel Like With Cuz of this Love Love Love that I'm Feeling and It's So Irresistible I'm Going to Say Anything You Want to Get What I Want Out of You.' I guess the reason they chose the first is because mine is too long.)

I've been spending way too long checking my tongue in the mirror
And bending over backwards just to try to see it clearer
But my breath fogged up the glass
(why would you need to do this? my only guess is that the reason must be something unmentionable that I'd rather not know.)
And so I drew a new face and I laughed
I guess what I'll be saying is there ain't no better reason
To rid yourself of vanity and just go with the seasons
It's what we aim to do
Our name is our virtue

I won't hesitate no more, no more
It cannot wait I'm sure
There's no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours

Well open up your mind and see like me
Open up your plans and damn you're free
Look into your heart and you'll find love, love, love
so please don't please don't please don't.
There's no need to complicate
'cause our time is short
This oh this oh this is our fate I'm yours

Oh I'm yours

I won't hesitate no more
Oh no more no more no more
It's our God-forsaken right to be loved, I'm sure
Theres no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours

No I won't hesitate no more, no more
This cannot wait I'm sure
There's no need to complicate
Our time is short
This is our fate, I'm yours, I'm yours

   
      In short, it doesn't make any sense. And besides why would you want to listen to jumbles of words transformed into catchy musical mush? I'm afraid the lyrics, bare of the pleasing tune, spoil any possible further pleasure in the song. Time was when men wrote witty songs and clever romances...

Actually, I'm wondering if the reason songs these days are so ambiguous is so that the listener will just insert their own situation into it and relate to it 'better'. People tend to really like songs they can relate to... so what could be a better seller than a song that is ambiguous and catchy? People like the tune, and draw their own meaning out of it. Presto - instant hit.

Quotes: L. M. Alcott's 'Rose in Bloom'

‘“That reminds me that I didn’t get a chance to hear much about your plans last night—the other boys all talked at once, and you only got in a word now and then. What have you decided to be, Mac?” asked Rose as they went up the avenue side by side.
“A man first, and a good one if possible. After that, what God pleases.”’

‘In her eyes, love was a very sacred thing, hardly to be thought of till it came, reverently received, and cherished faithfully to the end. Therefore, it is not so strange that she shrank from hearing it flippantly discussed and marriage treated as a bargain to be haggled over, with little thought of its high duties, great responsibilities, and tender joys.’

‘As he [Charlie] stood there, restlessly fingering the ornaments upon the chimneypiece, his eye brightened suddenly and, taking up the pretty bracelet lying there, he went slowly back to her [Rose] saying in a tone that was humble and serious enough now: “I will act like a man, and you shall never be ashamed again. Only be kind to me. Let me put this on, and promise afresh—this time I swear I’ll keep it. Won’t you trust me, Rose?”
….Putting back the offered trinket with a gentle touch, she said firmly, though she dared not look up into the anxious face bending toward her: “No, Charlie—I can’t wear it. My hands must be free if I’m to help you as I ought. I will be kind, I will trust you, but don’t swear anything, only try to resist temptation, and we’ll all stand by you.”
Charlie did not like that and lost the ground he had gained by saying impetuously: “I don’t want anyone but you to stand by me, and I must be sure you won’t desert me, else, while I’m mortifying soul and body to please you, some stranger will come and steal your heart away from me. I couldn’t bear that, so I give you fair warning, in such a case I’ll break the bargain and go straight to the devil.” '

[Beware the man who strives towards God only for the sake of a woman. It is disordered to go about seeking Him this way, and can only end in dissatisfaction and despair, unless he turn and seek God for His own sake. SPERA IN DEO- Hope in God, not in man (or woman).]

“No, I will promise nothing yet, for I must respect the man I love.”


‘A wise man once said: “It is necessary for man to do right; it is not necessary for man to be happy.’

The Global Warming Song

This is Global Warming
We've come to it, I fear
This heat wave (10 below)
Has been the hottest of the year.

It'll soon become unbearable
I'm afraid I'll have to go
And make myself a home
In the balmy Northern Pole.

I've heard that it's the strongest there
This greenhouse gas phenom
I'm told the ice is melting
But here blizzards still go on.

If this is Global Warming,
Where is the blazing heat?
The cataclismic earthquakes?
The tornados in the streets?

Although it's Inconvenient
I'm sure that it's the Truth
Beacuse Al Gore has told me so
With undeniable proof!

I am utterly convinced!
Without a doubt I know
Global Warming is a threat!
As I stand here in the snow...

I, with other brave ones, trudge
Along the icy streets
Warning others of their plight
Though we picket in the sleet.

And though the talk show hosts may laugh
We will not soon retreat
(Though in my heart of hearts,
I'd love some greenhouse heat!)

--Natalie Ann
March, 2007

Missa Nummi Viduae

 I have had the audacity to write a musical setting for the ordinaries of the Mass. It is a very small kind of composition- a very simple Mass. I was thinking of how little and simple it was- it doesn't even have a Gloria yet, and it can't possibly compare to any of the great works by any of the great composers - why should it ever be sung to God? It is too insignificant, too imperfect, though I like it very much. And I felt sad to have composed a work that would never be sung in its intended place.

But then, I suddenly thought of Christ sitting in the temple near the treasury, and how everyone was giving so many riches, and one little widow quietly placed her two copper coins among all the great gifts of the others. The coins were completely swallowed up by the vastness of the other gifts, but Our Lord saw it still. And He said: 'Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living.' (Mark 12:41)

My compositions are my little coins. God gave me some little talent, and I want to give it back to Him with love, small though it be. That is why I wanted to call this Mass the "Mass of the Widow's Coins", Missa Nummi Viduae, because although others can give more and greater things, I give the little I have to Him, and hope He is pleased at my attempts.