Song Meme

[cadfael]

The words of Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3, verses 1-8 teach me of balance in the universe. I may not be able to understand all of the aspects of the Divine. However, the first principle or law of the Divine is balance. In my mind, balance is among the most potent, powerful forces with ourselves as well as in nature.

As I stand in awe of the enormity and power of "creation", I am informed of two guiding principles: first, that I am obligated to know and worship the Divine, and secondly, that I am obligated to pursue the full enjoyment of life with the time that is given to me.

The implication in the remainder of the chapter, verses 9-22, is that God alone knows the time allotted to everything and is the ultimate judge. While I cannot accept that as a matter of faith, I can accept the notion that the Divine knows the time allotted to all things and will joyfully receive its energy, or soul to its bosom at the end of its days.

While most Masons may not agree with me, it is my understanding of Masonic philosophy that we Masons are profoundly in awe of the order and structure of the universe. That wonder is reflected in our rituals of opening and closing the Lodge, and certainly in the manner in which we confer our beautifully masculine degrees.

I have resonated to the truths contained in this song since I first heard it performed by Pete Seeger and by the Byrds during the 1960's. Yes, I am that old.

Turn, Turn, Turn
From the book of Ecclesiastes
Adapted and arranged by Pete Seeger, (performed also by the Byrds and others)

To everything turn, turn, turn
There is a season, turn, turn, turn
And a time for 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

chorus: To everything, turn, turn, turn

A time of war, a time of peace
A time of love, a time of hate
A time you may embrace
A time to refrain from embracing

chorus: To everything, turn, turn, turn

A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time to love, a time to hate
A time of peace: I swear it¹s not too late!

chorus: To everything, turn, turn, turn

Comments

[wild-place-king.livejournal.com]

Thank you willowoak and eponacrony. I have always been easy about finding inspiration anywhere. I remember years ago being criticized by a BS woman in an email discussion for finding inspiration in Handel's "messiah."

Since everything is connected, "truths" can be, in a sense, "flexible."

Not to mention, just beautiful poetry.

[sabrinamari.livejournal.com]

Agreed.

[owllady13.livejournal.com]

One of the things that helped me make my peace with my former self upon accepting that this was the right path for me, was in realizing that, there are many sacred texts, and that none are the *only* sacred texts. There is inspiration to be found in them all, so what make only one of them the *true* one.

Thank you for your thoughts on this song. It has always been a favorite of mine, and I get chills every time I hear it, even now.