Friday, August 22, 2008
THE DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL
Upon a darkened night
the flame of love was burning in my breast
And by a lantern bright
I fled my house while all in quiet rest
Shrouded by the night
And by the secret stair I quickly fled
The veil concealed my eyes
while all within lay quiet as the dead
Oh night thou was my guide
of night more loving than the rising sun
Oh night that joined the lover
to the beloved one
transforming each of them into the other
Upon that misty night
in secrecy, beyond such mortal sight
Without a guide or light
than that which burned so deeply in my heart
That fire t'was led me on
and shone more bright than of the midday sun
To where he waited still
it was a place where no one else could come
Within my pounding heart
which kept itself entirely for him
He fell into his sleep
beneath the cedars all my love I gave
From o'er the fortress walls
the wind would touch his hair against his brow
And with its smoothest hand
caressed my every sense I would allow
I lost myself to him
and laid my face upon my lover's breast
And care and grief grew dim
as in the morning's mist became the light
There they dimmed amongst the lilies fair
and there they dimmed amongst the lilies fair...
Words by St.John of the Cross: arranged & adapted by Loreena McKennitt
Labels:
Arum Lilies,
Profound Feelings of Love
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6 comments:
I tried this once, but the Animal Control people ensnared and whisked me away in their van before "she" could arrive. Still, good poem.
DAMN those animal control people, they wont let you have any fun. <3
Wait...is she singing this to someone who died?
It's quite moving.
Is that dog humping the animal control lady's leg?
No shes not singing to someone who has died but someone that she loves.:)
I dont know what Puggles is doing.
Wow. You have quoted one of my favorite mystics from one of my favorite singers. Gerald May wrote a book called The Dark Night of the Soul, based on St. John and if I'm not mistaken, so did Thomas Moore, but it didn't do well. It is just such a fascinating concept and so real.
Loreena did a wonderful adaptation of the original words of St.John of the Cross, and the music she has composed and her voice are both hauntingly beautiful. I did some research on St.John some time back, I will have to drag out my notes and refresh my memory. She is one of my favourite musicians and singers. :)
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