There once was a father

There once was a father who lived with his sons,

And hear how the story is told;

One son who took off with his share of the fortune,

One who did stay in the fold.

The one son who fled was in over his head;

His fortune and favor were gone.

So he lived in despair, feeding pigs for a living;

He lived hungry, cold, and alone.

 

He came to his senses and made up his mind 

That he would return to his home.

He would not claim sonship, but seek only labor,

No longer living to roam.

But soon came his father in haste and in love, and

Yearning to welcome him in;

Fatted calf, finest robe, a new ring and new sandals,

And soon the great feast would begin.

 

The son who had stayed heard the noise, saw the joy,

And he was in anger and sore

That father rejoiced for this derelict son

Who had been so reckless before.

The father replied, "yes, you stayed by my side,

And all that I have is for you,

But this son who was lost, who was dead, now is found safe,

And this we must celebrate too!"

 

There once was a father who lived with his sons

But did his sons now live with him?

One son who sought only to be hired labor,

One who was angry and grim.

Now this is the story, but what does it mean,

And what are we followers to do?

So pay heed to the Father who loves with abandon,

And wonder, which lost son are you?

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, March 2025, after Luke 15:11-32 (Lent 4C).

MUSIC: Tune SAMANTHRA, American folk melody.

 

A folk song to tell a familiar story and questions to end it without an ending.

 

 

When seed that is scattered, updated

When seed that is scattered is growing and blooming

While we are at rest or at work in the day – 

First stalk and then flower, full grain in due hour – 

We see how the kingdom moves out in this way.

 

When seed of such small size spreads out and finds nurture, 

Now growing and casting its shade far and wide,

We learn how the kingdom comes, fruitful and winsome,

With shelter for all of creation inside.

 

Now this is the kingdom of God in our living;

It flourishes even as we do not know.

Praise God, our Creator, whose giving is greater,

Whose kingdom gives courage to flourish and grow.

 

 

TEXT: Charies Spence Freeman, June 2021, after Mark 4:26-34.

MUSIC: Tune KREMSER, Neder-landisch Gedenck-Clanck; 1626; harm. Eduard Kremser, 1877.

 

 

The lectionary reading for Ordinary 11B offers up seed metaphors for our reflection. Somehow this time around the image of birds being able to take shelter in the shade of the mustard-seed shrub jumped out. (The words of each stanza may fit to the final phrase slightly differently than the usual texts paired with this tune.)

A man about to journey far

A man about to journey far called from his slaves these three,

And told them of his firm intent for what their task would be.

They were to manage, in the measure of five, two, and one, 

His property and finances until his trip was done.

The first one, given five in trust, did manage his part well,

And made five more by his own skill to barter, buy, and sell.

The second one, in fashion same, also doubled his two.

The third one, with just one to trust, chose something else to do.

 

He took those funds and dug a hole to hide them in the ground,

Presuming that the funds he held would there be safe and sound.

And then their master did return and bade those slaves to come

And give account of how they held each their prolific sum.

 

"Well done," he told the one who doubled five to ten,

And to the one who doubled two he cried "well done" again.

The slave with one, by fear consumed, gave what he hid away

The master firmly cast him out, forbidding him to stay.

 

The gifts that we are given so, however great or small,

Are not for hiding or to hoard; such fear is not our call.

To share and trade and make them more is how we're meant to live,

So that when God bids us to act, we have so much to give.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, November 2023, after Matthew 25:14-30.

MUSIC: Tune SALVATION, Kentucky Harmony, 1816 (various harmonizations)

            alternate tune KINGSFOLD, English Country Songs, 1893; harm. Ralph 

            Vaughan Williams, 1906.

 

 

Not the easiest parable to make sense of in song. This might be one of those for revisiting in future. And I really might prefer what is listed as the alternate tune here. Either one has enough folk song/ballad quality that works to tell the story. And with the number of folk tunes that involve one or both of a couple dying from romantic disappointment or misunderstanding, the strangeness of this parable is nothing by comparison.

Ten bridesmaids went out

Ten bridesmaids went out with their lamps at the ready, 

Waiting the bridegroom to come.

Of these, five were clever to bring extra oil, 

While five were not so, and brought none. 

The bridegroom delayed, their alertness was stayed

And all fell asleep on the ground.

Then at midnight there came a great shout: "Be awake now

And see that the bridegroom has come."

 

Those bridesmaids awoke to that cry in the dark

And reached for their lamps so to see.

But, oil running out, five their lamps could not trim,

While five were as bright as could be.

"O sisters, we pray, help us be on our way,

And give us some oil, would you please?"

But the five would not so: "We will not! You must go!

We will not share our oil all for free."

 

Five bridesmaids went searching for dealers of oil

And five for the bridegroom did wait.

While five were away, lo! the bridegroom did come;

The five who were gone came back late.

They begged at the door, "Let us in, we implore!" 

But these five were all turned away, 

For the bridegroom replied, "Truly, I do not know you,

And I will not open the gate."

 

Five bridesmaids did feast and make merry at banquet;

Five were left out in the cold.

The word calls them "wise" who brought oil for their lamps

And "foolish" the five who brought none.

So keep your lamps full; go where God's call does pull, 

Hear God's word and wisdom and grace.

But find mercy for those who have fallen behind 

And do not leave them out in the cold. 

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, October 2023, after Matthew 25:1-13

MUSIC: Tune SAMANTHRA, American folk melody

 

Starting a hoped-for set on the three parables of Matthew 25. Perhaps my discomfort with the parable shows up in the last verse. Oh, well. (Note that as is often the case with these folk

melodies, the tune may be public domain, but any arrangement/accompaniment you may find, especially in a hymnal - like Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal #77, is probably under copywright. Report appropriately.)