Songs for the Season: Point/Counterpoint
The solstice has come around again, as it does every season.
The darkness has grown over the last six months, and for some, it weighs heavy on the soul.
I Am a Rock
Simon & Garfunkel
from the 1966 album
The Sounds of Silence
A winter's day
In a deep and dark December;
I am alone,
Gazing from my window to the streets below
On a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
I've built walls,
A fortress deep and mighty,
That none may penetrate.
I have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain.
It's laughter and it's loving I disdain.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
Don't talk of love,
But I've heard the words before;
It's sleeping in my memory.
I won't disturb the slumber of feelings that have died.
If I never loved, I never would have cried.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
I have my books
And my poetry to protect me;
I am shielded in my armor,
Hiding in my room, safe within my womb.
I touch no one and no one touches me.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
And a rock feels no pain;
And an island never cries.
This year, the Longest Night brings with it a fleeting extra shadow-but even shadows bear beauty and promise.
For those lucky enough to have clear skies tonight, you'll be treated to the first Solstice Eclipse in 456 years.
And after this long night brings tomorrow's distant dawn, the light will come again.
The spring will come again.
The Rose
Performed by Bette Midler
Music and Lyrics by Amanda McBroom
from the 1979 movie
The Rose
Some say love, it is a river
That drowns the tender reed
Some say love, it is a razor
That leaves your soul to bleed
Some say love, it is a hunger
An endless aching need
I say love, it is a flower
And you, its only seed
It's the heart afraid of breaking
That never learns to dance
It's the dream afraid of waking
That never takes the chance
It's the one who won't be taken
Who cannot seem to give
And the soul, afraid of dying
That never learns to live
When the night has been too lonely
And the road has been too long
And you think that love is only
for the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter
Far beneath the bitter snow
Lies the seed
That with the sun's love, in the spring
Becomes the rose
A Joyful Solstice to you all!
May all the gifts of Blessing, Renewal and Redemption find their way to you in the coming year.
Remember, no matter how dark and cold and long the winter night might seem ...
There will always come a spring.
The darkness has grown over the last six months, and for some, it weighs heavy on the soul.
Click to viewI Am a Rock
Simon & Garfunkel
from the 1966 album
The Sounds of Silence
A winter's day
In a deep and dark December;
I am alone,
Gazing from my window to the streets below
On a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
I've built walls,
A fortress deep and mighty,
That none may penetrate.
I have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain.
It's laughter and it's loving I disdain.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
Don't talk of love,
But I've heard the words before;
It's sleeping in my memory.
I won't disturb the slumber of feelings that have died.
If I never loved, I never would have cried.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
I have my books
And my poetry to protect me;
I am shielded in my armor,
Hiding in my room, safe within my womb.
I touch no one and no one touches me.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
And a rock feels no pain;
And an island never cries.
This year, the Longest Night brings with it a fleeting extra shadow-but even shadows bear beauty and promise.
For those lucky enough to have clear skies tonight, you'll be treated to the first Solstice Eclipse in 456 years.
And after this long night brings tomorrow's distant dawn, the light will come again.
The spring will come again.
The Rose
Performed by Bette Midler
Music and Lyrics by Amanda McBroom
from the 1979 movie
The Rose
Some say love, it is a river
That drowns the tender reed
Some say love, it is a razor
That leaves your soul to bleed
Some say love, it is a hunger
An endless aching need
I say love, it is a flower
And you, its only seed
It's the heart afraid of breaking
That never learns to dance
It's the dream afraid of waking
That never takes the chance
It's the one who won't be taken
Who cannot seem to give
And the soul, afraid of dying
That never learns to live
When the night has been too lonely
And the road has been too long
And you think that love is only
for the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter
Far beneath the bitter snow
Lies the seed
That with the sun's love, in the spring
Becomes the rose
A Joyful Solstice to you all!
May all the gifts of Blessing, Renewal and Redemption find their way to you in the coming year.
Remember, no matter how dark and cold and long the winter night might seem ...
There will always come a spring.