Monday, January 10, 2011

Hymn, for mourning


In this photo combo, victims killed at a political event with Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson, Ariz. on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011 are shown. From top left, Christina Taylor Green, 9, Dorothy Morris, 76, Arizona Federal District Judge John Roll, 63, from bottom left, Phyllis Schneck, 79, Dorwin Stoddard, 76, and Gabe Zimmerman, 30. (AP Photo)




I have had this video saved in my drafts file for over a year, actually hoping that it would never fit an actual moment in time. But it does now.

Peace to all the victims pictured above, and to their families and friends. Your loved ones' lights shine brightly for us to remember and admire them.

Peace and the hope for a miracle to Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, and to their families, colleagues, and friends.



Sung by Janis Ian, Phoebe Snow and Odetta.

Hymn
- written by Janis Ian

 Lyrics:

When we grow old
And love grows cold
And time runs down
Like a river
That calls us home

The eyes grow dim
The light grown thin
And time will
End here forever
Long time gone.

Then time and the river
Must stop in their tracks
Or roll on forever
There's no turning back
I've waited too long
To be left here like this
Long time gone

Then weep no more
The heart is pure
These hands are sure
Like a river
That clings to shore

The love we learn
The love we burn
A love that burns
In the darkness
Will weep no more
Dreams die young
Cling to shore, Gabrielle Giffords

 .

18 comments:

Fireblossom said...

Oh damn, now you've made me cry.

mythopolis said...

It is all so terribly sad. When I watch the coverage I get full of both sadness and anger.

Tess Kincaid said...

Beautiful tribute. Beautiful prayer.

Hattie said...

So sad. It's all overwhelming me now.

La Belette Rouge said...

I hope that this tragedy does change the level and quality of discourse that is happening in this country. There has been so much ugliness, hate and incivility.
So sad.
And a beautiful tribute post. Hugs to lovely you.

Freda said...

It's a beautiful song. We, too are shocked by what has happened in Tucson, may God be with all those affected.

Erin Davis said...

I, too, am sorry that there is such an occassion to fit this video, but I thank you for posting it and the lyrics. Just beautiful.

Linda Pendleton said...

That's a beautiful tribute to them, Lydia. May they all have peace.

Thanks for the comment on my blog about Christina-Taylor Green.

Lydia said...

Fireblossom~ I am sure the tears were very close by...

mythopolis~ Those are my sentiments also.

Tess Kincaid~ Thank you. I really appreciate the depth of Janis Ian's songwriting.

Hattie~ Overwhelming me, too. What is our next step?, I keep pondering to myself.

Belette Rouge~ Hugs to you and thank you for further describing the emotions we are feeling.

Freda~ Your thoughts from Scotland hold strength for us all. The song helps too.

Erin~ It is beautiful and can provide us with some shared solace. Heaven knows we need it.

Linda Pendleton~ I appreciate you stopping by to see my post. It helps to share the sorrow.

distracted~ xoxo

Leovi said...

Very nice song by Janis Ian and very suitable for the situation. In my youth my favorite song by Janis Ian's "At Seventeen"

earthtoholly said...

Truly beautiful, Lydia. I've never heard this before and am sorry that it is befitting...sorry that your lovely post was necessary. :o(

CHERYL CRAMER BRIARD said...

It is so sad Lydia, let us all learn from this terrible experience, why can't we all get along?

naomi dagen bloom said...

Let's say, Lydia, that we who stop to think and ponder about this tragedy are already on the path to doing something. We need to talk longer with one another to figure out next steps. Your words and images made me sigh.

Tom Degan said...

Very nice. Thank you for that.

Rhiannon said...

You know I wrote a comment about this post last night, but I guess it didn't go through..maybe it was a good thing it didn't. I had written about when my former husband and I lived in Prescott AZ. and how everyone walked all around carrying guns sticking out of their back pockets. A lot of people that lived there seemed so prejudice, not only in a color of ethnics of a person but in what political party they were in. It was a very scary experience for us...needless to say we move out of Arizona because of all the guns everywhere you went and the "vitriol" and anger and hate.

My heart goes out to all involved in this horrific shooting in Tuscon AZ...I am so upset and shocked and hope we wake up and start going another direction in this country..it's "so time".

Love,

Rhi

Lydia said...

Leovi~ It is not a song that is well-known, but so beautiful. I also loved "At Seventeen" and saw Ian perform it two summers ago in Bend, Oregon. She was fantastic!

earthtoholly~ Oh, I am sorry it was necessary too, Holly. Thank you for being here.

Cheryl~ Exactly. Let's hope the answer and solution come in our lifetimes.

naomi~ Your comment gave me hope that there are ways to see us through this fog, and we need to discover and define them together.

Kathe W. said...

when will we ever learn?

Lydia said...

kathew~ Perfect line from another song...

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