Quiet in the Librarian

Quiet in the Librarian: Developing a Spirit-centered approach to service

For my first few years as a librarian, I felt richly rewarded, a shining star of helpfulness. In a nutshell, I get paid to give people advice when they ask me for help, and then they thank me. Smart! Altruistic! Serving the public! What’s not to love? As my younger brother said when I first got the job, “Well, Anne, you do love to tell people what to do” .... Read this piece at Busted Halo



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Before I knew my name

Before I knew my name, my soul was touched by God.
Before my tongue had words, my soul was touched by God.
Before I drew a breath, before I had a face,
Before I nestled in my mother's blood,
My soul was touched by God.
Before my parents clasped their hands,
Before their parents suckled milk,
My soul was touched by God.
Before the rain and ground conjoined,
Before the moon could tend the tides,
Before the sea and land were struck,
Before divine light split the dark, my soul was touched by God.
Oh, my soul        forgive me for the times I do not know you.
For you have been faithful, steadfast       more enduring
Than time itself.

Photo by Mike Sandells

Forever Love

This week I'm sharing English words I wrote to go with a traditional Celtic song called Citi na gCumann. I'm working on a project to turn this into a record with a wonderful vocalist Shannon Lambert-Ryan, amazing guitarist Rob Messore and wizard of the recording studio Pierce Campbell supervising with aplomb.

I suggest playing this Altan video to hear the tune at the same time as you are following along reading my new lyrics. 

Oh -- please note -- I'm not going to share it with my parents (married 52 years) until the CD is recorded, so please don't mention it to them! ;-)



"Forever Love"
Tune: Citi na gCumann (trad)
English lyrics: Anne Lindley


When I was young and you were young
And love was green and new
We loved to say “forever, Love,”
“Forever, I’ll love you.”
And when we lay so close entwined
Our breath would flow as one
We’d say “This love of ours will last
As long as shines the sun.”
 
Now frost hangs on the barren boughs
The trees have lost their green
And I still have my own true love
In winter as in spring.
So let me kiss you now, my dear,
And treasure every day --
Love grows more dear each passing year
For time holds us in sway.
 
When I was young and you were young
And love was green and new
We loved to say “forever, Love,”
“Forever, I’ll love you.”
Forever is not ours to give,
And yet you may be sure
As I have breath, I’ll love full-strong
My love, my life is yours. 

Jean Gaumy / Magnum Photos