Easter, also called Pascha (Passover) or Resurrection Sunday, is a Christian festival and cultural holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day of his burial, following on from his crucifixion by the Romans at Calvary c. 30 AD.
This year (2022)Easter Sunday falls on Sunday, April 17th, in exactly two week’s time.
Meaning of the word Hallelujah.
The word “hallel” in Hebrew means a joyous praise in song. The second part, “Yah”, is a shortened form of “Yahweha”, a lesser known name for God or Jehova, thus the word means “Praise Yahweh”, or “Praise God”, joyously.
An Easter Hallelujah.
Sung by Cassandra Star & her sister Callahan and written by Kelley Mooney
A crown of thorns placed on His head He knew that He would soon be dead He said, “Did you forget me, Father did you?” They nailed Him to a wooden cross Soon all the world would feel the loss Of Christ the King before His Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah
He hung His head and prepared to die Then lifted His face up to the sky Said, “I am coming home now Father, to you” A reed which held His final sip Was gently lifted to his lips He drank His last and gave His soul to glory Hallelujah, Hallelujah
The soldier who had used his sword To pierce the body of our Lord Said, “Truly, this was Jesus Christ our Saviour” He looked with fear upon his sword Then turned to face his Christ and Lord Fell to his knees crying Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Took from his head the thorny crown And wrapped him in a linen gown Then laid him down to rest inside the tomb The holes in his hands, his feet, and side Now in our hearts, we know he died To save us from ourselves, oh Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Three days went by, again they came To move the stone, to bless the slain With oil and spice anointing Hallelujah But as they went to move the stone They saw that they were not alone For Jesus Christ has risen, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah
The lyrics hereunder written by Pete Seeger’s song “Turn! Turn! Turn!” were taken almost word for word from the Bible (Book of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). The only words Pete Seeger added were “Turn! Turn! Turn!” and “I swear it’s not too late.”
Turn, Turn, Turn.
Lyrics by American folk singer and social activist, the late Pete Seeger, [1919 – 2014].
To everything (turn, turn, turn) There is a season (turn, turn, turn) And a time to every purpose, under heaven A time to be born, a time to die A time to plant, a time to reap A time to kill, a time to heal A time to laugh, a time to weep To everything (turn, turn, turn) There is a season (turn, turn, turn) And a time to every purpose, under heaven A time to build up, a time to break down A time to dance, a time to mourn A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together To everything (turn, turn, turn) There is a season (turn, turn, turn) And a time to every purpose, under heaven A time of love, a time of hate A time of war, a time of peace A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing To everything (turn, turn, turn) There is a season (turn, turn, turn) And a time to every purpose, under heaven A time to gain, a time to lose A time to rend, a time to sew A time for love, a time for hate A time for peace, I swear it’s not too late
With no St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Thurles this year, we bring you a reminder of the parade in 2019, and wish all our readers “Lá fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh! “, (Happy St. Patrick’s Day!).
Keeping two dates in mind; International Women’s Day, which we celebrated on March 8th last, and today, St. Patrick’s Day; we have chosen an extract from a poem by that great poetess Charlotte Elizabeth Tonna,whose work back in Victorian England, focused on promoting women’s rights. Married twice, Charlotte, who died of cancer, resided for a time in Co. Kilkenny and Co. Westmeath, before undertaking charity work in the Irish ghetto in London.
St. Patrick’s Day: With an Irish Shamrock.
By Charlotte Elizabeth Tonna[1790 – 1846].
From the region of zephyrs,* the Emerald isle, The land of thy birth, in my freshness I come, To waken this long-cherished morn with a smile, And breathe o’er thy spirit the whispers of home. O welcome the stranger from Erin’s green sod; I sprang where the bones of thy fathers repose, I grew where thy free step in infancy trod, Ere the world threw around thee its wiles and its woes. But sprightlier themes Enliven the dreams, My dew-dropping leaflets unfold to impart: To loftiest emotion Of patriot devotion, I wake the full chord of an Irishman’s heart……
[* In European tradition, a zephyr is a light wind or a west wind, named after the Greek god Zephyrus, latter a representation of the west wind in human form.]
Adieu, my pet. ‘Twas well we met And well we’ll part to meet again. No tears shall fall, Joy overall, For what has been Will be again. Adieu, fair maid. The years Shall fade, But friendship’s hands shall clasp again. Adieu my pet ‘Twas well we met And well we’ll part, To meet again.
An embrace by Suir River, One evening in time, Young lovers together, In love’s perfect rhyme. Two young souls embracing, As the evening stood still In salute to the wonder, Sweet haunting me still. What mysterious other, So charmed my young heart, Its miraculous mystery, That shall never depart, Oh, hazel-eyed beauty, Sweet mistress of charms, Then, now and forever, To dwell in my arms. Oh dear heart of heaven, My soul now on fire, Enchantment your presence, Oh wild, wild desire, My hazel eyed darling, My day and my night, Enthralling and calling, To dreams of delight. A love that was born, That time long ago, By the banks of Suir River, Where young lovers go. Not now but forever, Till love is no more, Shall we be together, As that time by sweet Suir. Oh memory eternal, Sweet love of our youth, This is my abiding, My magnificent truth! Oh beautiful memory That never shall go, Sure as this love’s forever, Sure as Suir waters must flow.
END.
Tom Ryan, “Iona”, Rahealty, Thurles, Co. Tipperary.
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