"Garden Song" Inch by inch, row by row, gonna make this garden grow. All it takes is a rake and a hoe and a piece of fertile ground. Inch by inch, row by row, Someone bless the seeds I sow. Someone warm them from below, 'til the rain comes tumbling down. Pulling weeds and picking stones, man is made of dreams and bones. Feel the need to grow my own 'cause the time is close at hand. Grain for grain, sun and rain, find my way in nature's chain, to my body and my brain to the music from the land. Plant your rows straight and long, thicker than with prayer and song. Mother Earth will make you strong if you give her love and care. Old crow watching hungrily, from his perch in yonder tree. In my garden I'm as free as that feathered thief up there. Inch by inch, row by row, gonna make this garden grow. All it takes is a rake and a hoe and a piece of fertile ground. Inch by inch, row by row, Someone bless the seeds I sow. Someone warm them from below, 'til the rain comes tumbling down. It's very touching how many new members we are getting at the moment. New people from right across the world. Not only this but the viewing figures are way up on a regular basis. Part of me expects to wake up one morning and no one to be here but myself and maybe a few old regulars. But not so, for many of the new people are posting as much or even moreregularly than even toe old hands. I tke this as a response to the the very kind prayers of people on the forum. Prayer is the water that makes the flowers grow. Without prayer I know there would be no forum. I think ,well I know in my hear,t that that is what made Mother Angelica at EWTN grow such a great garden. She and the others sisters prayed. Please also pray for protectio naswell, the devil rally hates anything Marian. Plus times draw close, read the Marian messages from right across the globe. Our Blessed Lady , whose garden this is, is will welll know how to reward those who have watered her garden with their prayers.
I must admit sometimes when I love at the forum I am amazed how big it has grown. 'Even if you faith the size of a mustard seed....' ..and I have seen and heard repeated testimonies of conversions and people strengthened in their Faith and nurtured by the is Marian Garden, even reported healings. So never think you posts are wasted they ere watering the garden of the God. Very much so. Jesus said, 'By their fruits you shall know them...' and the fruits of thsi Garden of Mary are very ,very good indeed, growing as they do in the rich soil of your so Catholic hearts..... This can only be good and the Hand of God.
The rich clear cultured tones of praise in this rendition to our Heavenly Queen was delightful. Thank you again Padraig. In stark contrast the link below is a wee folk/pop song by Mimi Baez, sister of Joan. Mimi was married to Richard Farina another American folk singer from the 60s who performed with Bob Dylon. Richard's mum was Theresa Crozier, my cousin. The last time I stayed with Theresa in Ardboe, Northern Ireland, my clearest memory was being wakened up to the sound of a post office van being blown up outside her front door. When we were not dodging bombs we used to have great crack with Richard who played the steel guitar. Don't know what made me think of Richard recently but it led me to this song "Letter to Jesus" sung by Mimi. Richard died shortly after his marriage in a motor bike accident. Mimi was Joan's younger sister but died before Joan with cancer in 2001. Strangely Mimi's second husband also died in a motorbike crash. Their grandfather was a lapsed Catholic who became a Methodist minister and later the whole family converted to Quakerism. Both girls were committee pacifists and spent time in jail for their convictions. Mimi's song perhaps reflected lost ways of their spiritual journey in life and although simplistic and immature the words express the wish we have all had to start anew, to start over, to have a second chance. I believe that for a great many people this wish is about to come true. Mimi's song may sink into obscurity but its sentiment - for that is what it is - will perhaps echo through the hearts of many who hope for a better day and who have no real theology or deep understanding of religion. Hopefully this will be rectified sufficiently by the true education which we are all about to receive.
This is wonderful to read. It reminds me of the universality of Our Church. Padraig, does the "system" give you reports on where people are from- not exact locations but continents and countries. If that is not hard to get, it would be interesting to learn of how far the forum is reaching.
... and to think that there are probably hundreds or even thousands of other Christian Forums Out-There that we know not but doing God's Works of Mercy & Salvation. A very comforting thought! We, most certainly, are not alone nor have we ever been!! GOD SAVE ALL HERE!!
It would be nice if there were some in places like China and North Korea...please God...even Saudi Arabia and Iran
Also there used to be someone from the Great Islamic University in Saudi Arabia used to look in all the time. Perhaps still does.
I had an elderly patient in today who is an artist and is Anglican by faith. We got round to talking about the old hymns and how it was great when everyone knew the words and the tune and the whole church would join in. Recently I had introduced her to utube and shown her how to play all her old favourite songs. I asked if she would like to hear some traditional Catholic hymns and she said she would love to. So I clicked on MOG and played the above rendition of Hail Queen of Heaven and Sweet Heart of Jesus and she was deeply moved. I then played Faith of Our Fathers by Frank Patterson which she loved. So there you go Padraig, you made an old lady's day and added to her treatment with your beautiful music. She was transported.
I saw those hymns Joe on a DVD of the concert which I bought for my father and mother for their anniversary many years ago. Of course they loved it. I ahve gone back year andafter year to watch those old clips over and overagain. I think Frank Patterson is dead now. The DVD was called, 'Faith of Our Fathers'. I think all the hymns on the DVD are played here:
..and now we are coming into May, one that always brings tears to my eyes, I sing it in the woods, along with dear angels: sometimes I imagine even the dogs are singing and the tress and the flowers and even the very grass in chorus; .
This is a very ,very beautiful version of 'Golden Rose' , sung by Frank. Great pictures of Knock: one thing about Marian Devotion, tears of joy are never far away:
Memories....this song was sung at the funerals (after Communion) of my mother-in-law and then my own mom after they passed. I still choke up especially with the refrain: And the Lamb will conquer and the woman clothed in the sun will shine Her light on everyone Yes, the Lamb will conquer and the woman clothed in the sun will shine Her light on everyone Golden Rose, Queen of Ireland all my cares and troubles cease as I kneel with love before you Lady of Knock, my Queen of Peace
