Povey Prattle

The following Christmas Hymn was written by EDMUND HAMILTON SEARS (1810-1876). Sears was an Unitarian Minister. He was born in Sandisfield, MA (not far from Pittsfield where I served (1984-2000). He died in Weston, MA (not far from Cambridge where I served (2000 – 2006). The hymn reflects the height of 19th Century “liberal optimism” about the perfectibility of human nature, with its hope that: ….. with the ever circling years Comes round the age of gold; When peace shall over all the earth Its ancient splendours fling. That optimism was shattered when the two top European and Christian Powers (the United Kingdom and Germany) engaged in the blood bath of the Great War (1914-1918) - a war which shaped the rest of Century 20. But, ignoring history, we still sing Sears’ hymn. The song has a well loved tune “Carol” by Willis which is always used in the United States. The equally loved tune “Noel” by Sullivan is preferred in the United Kingdom. In England we pronoun...

Here are some photo’s of my cats. My friend Betsy took them last weekend. Adelaide loves her “perches”, and the shyer Ada is happy enough when I hold her. The more so, when we are in black and white uniforms. ======================================================================== “Away in a manger” is a Christmas hymn which is well loved in the United Kingdom and the United States (though with different tunes). It used to be attributed to Martin Luther. These days we know that the text comes from the greatest of all hymn writers. She/he is known as “Anonymous”. I did not like this hymn when I was a child. It seemed to “talk down” to children. In fact, many of the “Hymns for Children” shared that fault. They were written by adults - for children. I much preferred the “grown up hymns”. One example is “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation” When I first heard that hymn, at about aged 9, I was intrigued by two words: “Ponder anew”. T...

I was listening to our local Public Radio Station today and I heard an English Language version of the German Carol “O Tannenbaum”. The English words seem quite banal, so the song seems much more likeable in German! The song is not well known in England, but ‘tis very popular in these United States. Maybe this is for two reasons: First: Those songs with German origin are not very popular in England after two world wars. Second: that the USA has many folks who are of German origin. Folks of my generation in Great Britain know the tune, but not the song. For it was the tune for the song of the labouring class: “The Red Flag”. It is sung at every annual conference of the British “Labour Party”. This U.K. Labour movement always owed more to Methodism than to Marx. It was a party for working folks. In these days British Labour Party members sing it with great embarrassment. See below for details of the Tannenbaum song; and of the Red Flag song. =====================...

Episcopalians/Anglicans have been quite snobby about the Christmas Hymn “O Holy Night”. It’s been a bit too flashy for our culture. I was introduced to it some 45 years ago when my friend Kitty Draper would play it for us, and for her daughters Yvonne and Marilyn. She loved the Nat King Cole version, and so do I. The first link below will tell you something of the history of this song. Note please the abolitionist sentiments of the American translator. The, if you will, listen to the Nat King Cole version on youtube. The text of the hymn follows. http://hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/o_holy_night.htm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVXgoNMCS-s 1. O holy night, the stars are brightly shining, It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth; Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn; Chorus Fall on your knees,...

I get my Internet service and T.V. via “Comcast”. It’s not that I care for this Company. But we are signed up with Comcast in these Condominiums. So I am “stuck” so to speak. I do not care for Comcast’s marketing methods, by which they are hawking their ‘phone service. Here’s what I mean. Yesterday I received what appeared to be a Christmas card. It came from Delray Beach, a nice community on Florida’s east coast. When I opened the envelope, there indeed was a Christmas card, accompanied by a ton of Comcast propaganda for their ‘phone service. I do not wish to receive Christmas cards from vendors. I am ticked off that Comcast tried to fool me. I have protested to them.

It's safe to know that we all know the song "Danny Boy". It's become a sort of unofficial Irish National Anthem. The tune "Londonderry Air" or "Derry Air" is indeed from Ireland. But the lyrics were written by an Englishman from Portishead, a town on the Severn Estuary - about 12 miles from my native Bristol. Here is the scoop. You may cut and paste this article whic is from the Bristol Evening Post http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/bristoltimes/tune-halvearticle-412050-details/article.html

I sky dived on Sunday Dec 7th '08. We took off from Sarasota Airport, climbed to 10,500' then I jumped - in tandem of course! There was a free fall of 6,000' feet before John Ledbetter, my "tandem master" pulled the rip cord! It was a wonderful experience. I did not experience a moment of fear, though I did feel nauseous on the way down. The views were incredible. I was so happy that a number of friends met me on the ground. Ron and Charlotte brought champagne! Here are some pics - not in sequential order.