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Welcome to Dove Songs By Barri Armitage
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Three sample poems from Double Helix |
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This poem, found at the beginning of Double Helix, is dedicated to God, the Great Gardener. In the experiences of life, God prunes and shapes us, but never more than we can endure (I Corinthians 10:13). In our trials, at the darkest point of night, when we think we cannot bear any more pain, God sends His comfort. THE GARDENERknows his trade, knows how to choose
- Barri Armitage
DOUBLE HELIX, 1993,
Seeing "a ligh**************************at the end of the tunnel" can give us courage to keep going throu*** ************************************************ Thie next poem is dedicated to our daughter Nancy, who was killed at age 22 by a drunk driver while riding her bike. As Fall symbolizes dying, and Winter, the seed lying “asleep,” so Spring represents the new life and hope of the resurrection to come. FALL RITUAL Even the marigolds on my window sillspeed on to seed, showing it's time to shorten the path to earth. You always stay at twenty-two, you, the expert at shortcuts: three cakes in one bowl, four quilt squares, or eight, at a time. Outside, I soften a groove in the clay. then sprinkle it, pack it like snow. Bone of my bone, you were packed in me, grew from meat I chewed, from milk I drank-- seed buried in seed you carried to the ground. When snow's patches have melted - Barri Armitage DOUBLE HELIX, 1993, First published: Poetry, Sept. 1986 Reprinted in OUT OF SEASON, 1993, The Amagansett Press Reprinted in CABIN FEVER, 2003, The Words Works gh the dark, just as God's promises to the Israelites gave them hope in the wilderess. This collection of s ongs sings of that light and that hope. The songs foll Seeia ligh **************************atow o This section of the poem, “Double Helix,” is dedicated to my husband, Dave. As in the example of the widow in I Kings 17:10-16, when one person freely gives to another, God replenishes, so that the person can give more, just as in a loving marriage, when each gives to the other. (Section 3 from “Double Helix”) Past fifty now, and the fall air droopswith the distant rumble of rain, drenches us in the near scent of peaches--still good-- as men harvest bushels before the trees give back their leaves. Along the path, we stoop to dandelion fluff, blow seeds and laugh as in the old photos. I arrange bittersweet to add color to the house, pot amaryllis for the winter. Our shelves bulge with sweaters and books as gift options narrow like arteries, but sometimes you bring me perfume from flowers picked in their prime, and tonight I'll make you honeycake that keeps a week. When the widow shared her food with Elijah, it lasted through the drought-- lately it seems, the more I bake, the more the oil rises in the jar.
- Barri Armitage DOUBLE HELIX, 1993,First published: Poetry, Feb.1989 ne another like parts of a story.
The melodies are based on the rich lore of folk songs that have been passed from generation to generation. The authors' names have been lost in the maze of time, but the tunes have had staying power over the centuries.
1. "THINK ON THESE THINGS" gives the secret of joy: think on God's truth and its ultimate fulfillment in His Kingdom. This will keep you positive and lift you past the burdens you may bear. The origins of this ancient Irish melody are unknown. The first words known to have been set to it were "Would I were Erin's apple blossom o'er you" by Alfred Graves. Then Thomas Moore used the tune for "My Gentle Harp" to the tune. Later, "Danny Boy" appeared. Hubert Parry, author of the song, "Jerusalem," called the melody "the most beautiful tune in the world."
2. "JOY WILL COME IN THE MORNING" encourages you to look ahead to the "sunrise" in order to gain strength in the night filled with sorrows. I wrote this for a friend going through a wrenching personal tragedy. The tune is old Scottish. Lady John Scott picked up both the words to "Loch Lomond" and the tune from a poor boy singing it on the streets of Edinburgh.
3. "TURN NOW TO ME" shows God as a Father giving a call to repentance, with His deep wish for only the good for physical Israel; for His church, the "Israel of God" ( Galatians 6:16); and eventually, for the whole world. The Scottish tune is "Turn Ye To Me," a love song.
4. "OH, LORD, YOU HAVE SEARCHED ME" is a heartfelt cry of repentance asking God to examine the psalmist and show where he needs to change. I chose "Greensleeves" as the tune because as I was setting the psalm to poetry, the words fit so smoothly to this English melody that together they inspired me. I hope they will do the same for you! As with the other folk songs, the origin of the melody is unknown,. What is obvious, however, is the tune's popularity, under different titles and versions, for at least five hundred years.
5. "HEALED BY HIS STRIPES" follows the repentant attitude of Song #4 although self-examination is a daily process, it is expecially important in preparation for the Passover service as we take the bread, we meditate on the pain Christ endured and His Body, broken for our healing. Sections of an old Irish melody from, "The Banks of the Roses," are part of the tune.
6. "BOUGHT WITH A PRICE" dwells on the precious sacrifice of the life and death of Jesus Christ, our Passover, ransoming us from death. The melody is from an old Irish air now known as "The Foggy Dew."
7. "BLESS THE LORD, OH MY SOUL" is the outpouring of praise for the blessings God gives: healing our sicknesses, forgiving our sins, and ransoming us from death. A love poem for Annie Laurie, written by William Douglas in 1685, was later set to this Scottish folk melody.
8. "SONG OF MOSES" rejoices after the deliverance at the Red Sea and continues the theme of praise for God's power to save. The origin of the rousing English tune is unknown, but it goes back to the sixteenth century. A century or so later, an unknown author wrote the words for the song,"The British Grenadiers."
9. "UNDER THE SHADOW OF HIS WINGS" gives comfort and assurance to the Christian in the "wilderness wanderings," just as God protected and provided for ancient Israel. The tune for the verse is the Scottish, "O Waly, Waly," which may mean "O Willow, Willow." There are other versions in England and America. You may have heard it called “The Water Is Wide”. The chorus melody for "Under the Shadow of His Wings" is from the American folk song, "Oh, Shenandoah."
10. "THANK OFFERING" is from Psalm 116, part of the Spring Holy Day "Hallel" or praise series (Psalms 113-118). The prayer expresses heartfelt thanks for past deliverance and a desire to always trust in God. The tune is based on an ancient Irish air. Around 1850 Sir Samuel Ferguson of Belfast used the melody for "The Lark in the Clear Air," a beautiful love song.
11. "OH, LORD, OUR BELOVED" is the love song of the Church to Christ, her Beloved. The music was written by Bonnie Hood Witmer, the only song in this project that is not a folk song.
12. "THE VIRTUOUS WOMAN" continues the theme of the Bride of Christ, based on the wife of Proverbs 31. Thomas Moore, who collected folk tunes and wrote his own words, used this old Irish melody for "Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms." It seems especially appropriate for the "virtuous woman" as the words speak of a husband's undying love, even as his wife ages and loses the outward beauty of youth.
13. "REJOICE IN ALL THINGS" reinforces one of the truths to "think on." God only wants good for us as He allows circumstances to develop our character. We can rejoice, knowing He works all that happens to us, even painful experiences, for the best. The old Welsh tune is set to a song called "Myfwany" meaning "Dearest."
14. "PRAISE THE LORD FOREVER" is from Psalm 113, another of the Hallel series of psalms (see song #10). This focuses on "the light at the end of the tunnel," when Christ has returned and the whole earth praises Him. His people do so now! The Irish tune is "Come Back to Erin."
15. "FEAR NOT, LITTLE FLOCK" is more assurance of God's tender care. The tune is a beautiful English melody set to "Early One Morning."
16. "FULL OF GRACE, SEASONED WITH SALT" circles back to the opening song: gracious speech is from a heart free of bitterness, is a result of dwelling on God's faithfulness, and is offered to His praise. The Welsh tune is a peaceful lullaby, “Suo Gan.”
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