I read these lyrics, attributed to Bernard of Cluny, also known as Bernard of Morlaix, a twelfth-century French Benedictine monk (c. 1122-1156), taken from a section of a 3,000 line medieval poem, De Contemptu Mundi (On the Contemptableness of the World). The first stanza in particular caught my attention, tugged at my heart, and made me want to put it to song (Chorus lyrics are mine):
"Brief life is here our portion;
Brief sorrow, short lived care;
The life that knows no ending,
The tearless life, is there."
As beautiful as life on this earth is, it is indeed short and often filled with sorrow and care. We modern folk tend to not focus on these uncomfortable matters, especially when we’re young (“Morbid!!”); but as we grow older approaching the finish line of our individual races, it all starts to become in our thoughts and reflections, especially when we see others around our age dropping out and moving on…
Thankfully, for believers in Jesus, the MAJOR issues are all sorted out, the big picture is ‘all good’ for those who love God and are called according to His purpose; and it's mostly the nagging little details of day-to-day life that keep us busy and challenged down here. We all know what’s coming, so in our reflections it's wonderful to remember that, as John, so eloquently wrote:
"Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them….There will be no more pain, for the former things have passed away" (Rev. 21.3-4).
The end is even better than the beginning…❤️
lyrics
Brief life is here our portion
Brief sorrow, short-lived care
The life that knows no ending
That tearless life, is there.
There grief is turned to pleasure
Such pleasure as here below
No human voice can utter
No human heart can know
And after fleshly weakness
After this world’s dark night
Well after storm and whirlwind
Are calm, and joy, and light
Then He, whom now we trust in
Shall be seen and known
And they that know and see Him
Shall have Him for their own
CHORUS:
We shall awaken, and we shall arise
We shall behold Him who gave us His life
Changed to be like Him, His praises we’ll sing
Together reigning, love proclaiming,
Sons and daughters of the King
The morning shall awaken
The shadows flee away
And each true-hearted servant
Shall shine as doth the day
There God, our king and portion
In fullness of His grace
We then shall see forever
And worship face to face
I’m Jerry Paladino, international recording artist, singer, & songwriter. I’ve been a friend and follower of Jesus of
Nazareth, and for the last 45 years have put my time & energies into sharing His message and teachings with those I meet. THIS IS MY SITE: Welcome to it!...more
The latest 45 from Moon Rituals offers two slices of tranquil synthpop, with gauzy vocals, bright keys, and warm hooks. Bandcamp New & Notable Nov 30, 2020