A Personal Thought for the Season by anahata.c

Writers • Music • posted on Dec 18, 2015

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Description

I know many of you are tired, and preparing for the holiday. But I wanted say something about the holiday. I understand if some of you can’t read this. But for those who do, I hope it’s inspiring...It’s about the music. The songs. I hope it will make your season sweeter. Here goes... Several of you have expressed exhaustion at the barrage of carols this time of year. I understand: They’re piped through stores, elevators, radios, advertisements...We get over-sweetened, over-loaded, over-fattened...But the original carols are so diverse and magical, they’re a treasure, a precious inheritance. So let me say something about them, and resurrect their primal origins from the deluge of musak around us... Carols were originally sung and danced in circles. As such, they come from a core Medieval tradition of celebrating life in Dance. The music and lyrics were re-made for each generation, to suit the generation that re-made them. And the “new” versions kept scraps from older versions---a kind of cultural patchwork-quilt which, by the time it got to us, was a potpourri of whole centuries. Christmas carols are that box you take from your grandparents' attic; with keepsakes and old flowers and reminders that you belong to a precious lineage on this earth... So if you go back to the originals, you’ll hear melodies stretching through 7 centuries, with words capturing everything from families living 15 to a hut through devastating winters, to the royal courts of the Renaissance, to the small churches and homes of 1700, and so on. “Greensleeves” was a Renaissance pop song, and it wasn’t originally about Christ: It was about a Lady with ‘green sleeves’---a prostitute. Yet the music was so beloved, people started putting Christmas lyrics to it. Our present lyrics---“What Child is This”---were written in 1865. From prostitute to savior...a perfect example. “Good King Wenceslas” was based on a Bohemian Duke from the 10th Century. The lyrics were written 8 centuries later, by an Englishman. And the music was taken from a Finnish Hymnal---the Piae Cantiones---from the 1500s. That, in turn, may go back to the 13th Century... One more example, because it’s so rich. (Please bear with me.) “The Twelve Days of Christmas”. I’ve written of this before, but it bears repeating... The current version appeared in the 1700s. But the idea------of repeating a gift each day, and adding a new one with each new day, is very, very old. But it's much deeper than that: The lyrics hark back to a time where people lived harshly: They didn’t have central heat, many had no food, etc. Thus all the “gifts” in that song are promises of plenitude, of having, of enough food to stay alive. Just consider: The first seven gifts are birds: “5 golden rings” was the golden ringed pheasant. So you had partridges, turtle doves, pheasants: Sustenance. And the other gifts were drummers, dancers, pipers, etc. Celebration. Joy. Answers to life's prodigious hardships. A winter back then could mean losing half one’s family; because, without heat or enough food---or medication for what we now casually call “colds” or “flus"---it was enormously hard to stay alive. Imagine, then, the promise of eternal life and love: That wasn’t just a 'belief' for them, it was a massive yearning. So, when the medieval dweller looked outside and saw singers and dancers marching into town on Christmas eve, they felt enormous hope. Joy. And many go without, today, so carols aren't far fetched: They sing of warmth and light for all of us, and they're folk music, religious music and classical music: a cornucopia. And they're ours. That's what I wanted to share... My image was for a monk who taught me Medieval Chant. Those are real Medieval notes! I copied the original manuscript, I drew it quickly in colored pencils, and it's the beginning of Salve Regina (“Hail, O Queen"), an old hymn to the Virgin Mary. For those of you who got through this, thank you. I hope it was meaningful for you... Peace, all Mark ----------------------------------------------------

Comments (23)

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Faemike55

11:02PM | Fri, 18 December 2015

Very inspiring and thoughtful upload. Thanks for this wonderful piece and peace.

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giulband

12:41AM | Sat, 19 December 2015

Very very fine idea !!

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wysiwig

12:46AM | Sat, 19 December 2015

Well, not so much for me but I do appreciate the artwork and the history.

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UteBigSmile

2:26AM | Sat, 19 December 2015

Looks realy very nice!

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Cyve

7:54AM | Sat, 19 December 2015

Fantastically well done !!!

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romanceworks

8:50AM | Sat, 19 December 2015

I got through it all and enjoyed it a lot. Learning how caroling originated really did give it new meaning for me, and I appreciate you sharing this with us, Mark. Even in modern times, when we don't endure most of the massive hardships of those in past times, music is a gift we receive and give, that brings hope and joy into our lives. My mother told me many years ago she named me Carol, because I was born so close to Christmas. Now that I know more about the meaning and history of Christmas Carols, my name has taken on new meaning, too. Hope your holiday is filled with all the healing beauty of music, through the season and all through the New Year.

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helanker

9:14AM | Sat, 19 December 2015

What a beautiful image with lovely red colors and notes. I tried to read your words and I undersstood most of it. Thank you for the info. Later, when this foggy eye is fixed, I will read it again with more pleasure.

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bakapo

9:38AM | Sat, 19 December 2015

thank you for all of this. the red on the song is so hopeful and joyful and a wonderful wish for the season and the new year. I read everything you wrote and it opened my eyes, there has always been so much suffering and it's sad, so let's celebrate and be glad for the small things in life. thank you, Mark, for being a friend and sharing your words and talent! hugs

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eekdog

9:39AM | Sat, 19 December 2015

Can't read a lick of music, Mark. But your words are inspiring. Happy Holidays.

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MrsRatbag

10:14AM | Sat, 19 December 2015

I knew, of course, about our long long history of patchworking everything; I often speculate about the origins of things, and try to imagine the legacy our times will leave with future generations. I'm not sure it will translate well, even with our technological "advances"--all our flash drives and clouds will probably not survive the ages any more readable than lines etched in stones, and will likely be just as incomprehensible to folks then. Thank you for the gentle history lesson and the beautifully recorded verse; I learned the hymn in Latin as a child, before the church modernized to English, but don't remember much more than fragments anymore--it's been way too many years! You are a fabulous storyteller, teacher, and historian, and I'm grateful for your friendship!

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T.Rex

11:24AM | Sat, 19 December 2015

Thanks for recapitulating old knowledge I've had since the 1950s, but needed a refreshing. You've done a VERY good job. This is so sorely needed as commercialism wears everything out and waters it down. I wonder how many young people today even stop to reflect over what they're hearing, and what underlies it all. Bringing up the living conditions in medieval times sure helps put a lot in perspective. Keep up the good work! And a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you! :-)

Old chorister

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durleybeachbum

11:58AM | Sat, 19 December 2015

So very interesting! I can read the music but I need to tinkle it on the piano.

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dragonmuse

12:03PM | Sat, 19 December 2015

An interesting history. It brings new perspective to religion. I am personally not a religious person, so such insights are interesting and eye opening. It helps bring understanding to something that is mostly frightening to me.

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dochtersions

12:44PM | Sat, 19 December 2015

This really caught my attention, just by seeing the music notation. Yes, of course I am someone of music, in heart, kidneys and in mind. So I could not resist to translate your story, you mentioned among these Salva Regina. It's good to go back in gone by time, and move us into what the conditions of life were, often more survive then life (or live?). Thereby than the huge contrast from all those nagging muzak, the fake Christmas, buying peace, buying harmony ; it everything 'must have', to claim this, and to add to one's own honour. In this regard, we feel lonely in our experience, both in the remembrance of Christmas, as Easter, Ascension, etc. But I feel myself, despite the disharmony here around us, still a privileged person. Namely, to feel consciously, the heights and the depths of what for instance the Christmas cantatas, and welcome songs, regarding Jesus' birth, still circulating in our feelings, and confessing ourselves, from that which has eternal value, and will remain. And who knows if we can't have been a person who had to live in the Middle Ages, or whatever I know about how often we have been on this planet before we were 'Mark' and 'Jacomina'. ;-)

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npauling

7:14PM | Sat, 19 December 2015

A beautiful musical image in lovely Christmas colors and very beautifully drawn. I wish we had more Christmas carols down here as these days it is hard to get them. Everyone plays Christmas songs to be PC or something. I miss the carols. I hope you have a very happy Christmas with your family.

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goodoleboy

8:01PM | Sat, 19 December 2015

Well, so much for all Christmas songs being written by Jews. I really enjoyed and am now enlightened by your historical coverage on the origin of Christmas music, Mark. Although I could read the clefs and notes in your solid red image, I had a terrible time trying to identify the song or carol itself. So now, let's face it: many of the facets of Christmas are derived from old pagan practices. There, I said it, and I'm glad. Anyway, another cool image of Xmas from your fertile mind.

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LivingPixels

9:29PM | Sat, 19 December 2015

Thanx Mark this was most interesting info and very much appreciated I hope you have a very happy holiday season my friend!!

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Richardphotos

10:21PM | Sat, 19 December 2015

superb graphics and information. I like older music back when the words could be understood. I was watching an old Daniel Boone tv show and Roger Miller was a guest star. he sang several old tunes

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auntietk

10:23PM | Sat, 19 December 2015

I love your artwork, and seeing the notation marks is fascinating! I recently read a book where the plot was centered around chanting monks and old musical manuscripts, and it was a total page turner.

Thanks for all the information! We can talk about music (and holiday music in particular) and music history more the next time we talk on the phone. :)

A beautiful piece. It's a terrific idea, and you executed it with so much soul and love!

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Wolfenshire

11:43PM | Sat, 19 December 2015

Your care to the reproduction of the music is a treat to see, and the history of the songs, amazing and wonderful work. I do understand how soothing chanting monks can be, and inspirational. I have an album of chanting monks on itunes and often listen to it while I'm writing. Thank you for sharing this wonderful piece.

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