he is risen

God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 

- Acts 2:24

Happy Resurrection Day

follow

Today is Good Friday.  Will you follow him?

h/t Liturgy

desertion - reblogging for Maundy Thursday

This was originally posted on Good Friday, 2009.  I thought I'd share it again here, on Maundy Thursday 2011.  Even if only to remind myself.

“Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.”

These were the words I read aloud at the end of our Maundy Thursday service yesterday evening, which was a thoughtful service leading us ‘from the table to the garden’.

The words have echoed in my mind. 

They deserted him and fled.

As Jesus began the last hours of his journey to the cross, he was alone. Those who surrounded him were not his friends and supporters, but were hostile critics, mockers, haters. He was friendless in the crowd.

Even Pilate’s reluctance to pronounce a sentence upon him was not friendship enough. In the end, he washed his hands of Jesus.

They deserted him and fled.

Peter, buoyant impulsive Peter with all the marks of desperate loyalty: ‘I will never desert you!’ Peter who follows them in secret, wanting to know what will happen. Peter, who then denies even knowing
Jesus, not once but three times.

When it came to the crunch, Jesus faced all this alone.

The disciples did not understand, despite all the times he had warned them of what was coming. They did not understand why this had to happen. They could not cope with it when it did.

They deserted him and fled.

Then, after all the trial, the to-ing and fro-ing, being passed between befuddled rulers who could not, or would not, save him, he began the walk to Golgotha.  Only one of the twelve stood before him at the cross, together with Jesus' devoted women followers, distraught at such a moment.  Deserted by his chosen disciples – denied by one, betrayed by another. Then - condemned to death by those in power.

And so they crucified him.

They did not see the fulfilment of prophecy. They did not understand his way of doing things. He did not ‘fit’ with their idea of a Messiah. He turned everything upside down. They feared revolt and rebellion.

He loved the least and the lost and the ones they had shunned.

And so they crucified him.

What happened at the cross? What is the atonement?
The at-one-ment?

I believe it has a whole rainbow of meaning – many colours, many words. All part of what Jesus achieved on our behalf. Sacrifice, redemption, ransom, substitution, Love’s ultimate demonstration, victory over evil, the re-alignment of humanity with God, mercy, justice, the path to adoption into God’s family, the greatest swap in the history of the world – our ugliness for his righteousness.

All these and more, for we can never entirely pin it down. There are always further nuances we can discover about this event which changed the world. Trying to slot God’s action into our ideas of him is not going to give an accurate impression. We need open hearts to learn more, see more, believe more and understand more.

In the eyes of the Torah, to be crucified  meant that the person was under a curse. The crucifixion made no sense to those who observed it, who called out: “Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!!” Matthew 27:40b.

Does anyone else feel that echo from the testing wilderness moments right at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry (see my thought’s on Luke’s account of this over at Thirsty Ground)?

It made no sense to those who talked among themselves, and mocked him: "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.' " - Matthew 27:42-43

But he did not come down.

Darkness at the cross.

‘My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?’

That enormous feeling of isolation as one man bore the weight of the world on his shoulders.

But despite all appearances, it didn’t end here.

Vindication is coming.

The end is only the beginning.

What are you taking up for Lent?

Lent begins next week. Sometimes I miss the beginning entirely, swamped by 'things' and trivialities. I want to mark it, observe it, but I easily forget it. As for giving things up -well, sometimes I do, but not always. I feel it can become a bit too automatic. Lent = giving something up. I always want to think about the why - or the because. If I give something up 'because it's Lent' it can feel somewhat dreary and unimpressive. I want to be reminded of the greater why, the greater because. I want to think about journey, about discipleship, about re-focusing my mind.

But sometimes I think I need to set myself the opposite challenge - not to give something up but to take something up. To introduce a new discipline, a new way of constructing my days, a new way of thinking about things. This could be exploring other traditions - looking at the 'liturgy of the hours', marking time with prayer and reflection. It could be simply determining to create space for something I feel I am neglecting - and trying to foster and encourage a new spirituality, a new focus. And if I do give something up - who benefits?

I suspect that many of us in giving up something are doing it for our own benefit. Lent becomes a useful tool, a backdrop, for something we want to deal with anyway. It gives us an added edge, a more enforced discipline. But what do we do with the time we save by giving up, say, computer games? Or the money we save by not buying chocolate? (Two fairly common examples). Do we simply fritter away the saved time or money on other things, other treats? Or do we think - i want to take the me-ness out of this and add other-ness, God-ness even.



Water Aid have been running a Lent campaign where they suggest that people get together and save up 'jars of change' - the money they would have been spending on whatever it is they've given up. This money goes towards safe and accessible water for the world's communities.  Their website has plenty of resources available to use.


What about time? Time saved to be spent discovering more and different ways of reading the bible, trying to engage with it. This can be individual, but doing it together can really help inspire and challenge us. What about taking a look at the Biblefresh initiative?

Biblefresh is a movement of churches, agencies, organisations, colleges and festivals which has a vision to reignite and re-enthuse the church in its passion for the Bible. For many in our churches the Bible has become tedious and toxic rather treasured, trusted and true. The aim of the Biblefresh initiative is to encourage a greater confidence and passion for Scripture across the Church.

- http://www.biblefresh.com/get-involved

So, am I giving anything up? As I'm already cutting out dairy and yeast from my diet, this kind of giving up is a little over familiar at the moment.  I expect I will try and give up some time wasting elements in my life, but I want to be able to use that 'extra' time wisely and well.

So for that reason I am asking myself this question:

What are you taking up for Lent?

***

Update: for some reason my reader comments had been disallowed for this post.  Please feel free to make up for it! 

today

 

Christ is risen!

history makers

Delirious, a British Christian band with a dedicated fan base officially broke up last year, but this Easter has brought the possibility of their highest ever UK chart hit.  A facebook campaign, which started up with the aim of having a Christian song topping the charts at Easter now has over 60, 000 fans and on Good Friday the song (History Maker) was registering at 3 or 4 on the charts.  Aware of it for sometime, at first the idea of a campaign to 'invade' the charts was not quite in tune with my subtle approach to life - but the good humoured enthusiasm of the fans has, I have to say, won me over.  There is strong emphasis on showing integrity and respect at all times throughout the campaign.  Plus, all proceeds go to charity, which for me, means that campaigning can only be a good thing.

I have to say, History Maker was written over a decade ago, and I remember being in my teens, leaping about to the music at Delirious concerts...before they were as popular and you didn't squashed!!  (I remember being at Wembley Stadium when they played at 'Champion of the World', and wondering if I would reunite my arms and legs at some point.)  I remember, too, diligently going out and buying their singles - White Ribbon Day especially.  Of course, Deeper made it to no 20, but it seems there is no doubt that History Maker will go much further.

Yes, I have downloaded my 2 versions (studio and live) and look with interest as to whether they will get their 'number one' spot.  The campaigners have called for a 'Sabbath Saturday' today and are calling on fans to do no more promoting. So this is merely comment and not promotion, posted today as I wanted to leave Good Friday's post uncluttered.

Meanwhile...

Easter Saturday is the day of waiting, of breath-holding, of dark waiting for light.

Tomorrow, the Son rises.

today

I sit, grazing the horror and the holiness with the tips of my fingers
my dimmed vision conjouring a dusty road leading to Golgotha
reminding myself of the vivid reality of a suffering God


Why commemorate Good Friday?  In order not to forget.

Easter words - take two

Recently a whole lot of Google searches are arriving at my blog, searching for 'words that describe Easter'. They arrive on my older post 'Easter Words'...which made me re-read it myself. So, because I felt it might be worth sharing again, yes, I'm doing my first ever re-post. Enjoy!



Am taking a moment to try and contemplate the coming remembrance and celebration that is Easter. And I find I struggle. I get so caught up in the every day; it is hard to focus in the way that I would like. I would like to carve out meaningful thoughts and place them here, to help myself think on what is coming.

But of course, it is not something that happens once a year. It is something that happened once for all, for all time, and so every day I live in the reality of the crucifixion, and the resurrection. The significance of that death, that aching pause of the day inbetween, and the vindication that was the rising again.

And when I think of it, I breathe in and feel a tremor through me – for how I could live, not how I do live. How do I live the reality of Easter, daily? How do I remember the words without using jargon or clichés? There are some fantastic words which talk about what our faith means, but they are in fact such a closed language to those who do not know the meaning of them. How do I talk about it in a fresh, beautiful, heart-touching way? Where can I find a new vocabulary to recapture the meaning of truth?

We tire of cliché and jargon and all the words. We tire of the same ways of saying things. We find some concepts difficult to describe. We want to remember it all in a fresh way. I want to remember it all in a fresh way.

How do I talk about the clogging blackness that sits between God and humanity, and how the white light of what Jesus did blasts it all away? How do I talk about God and us – out of alignment, but put back in alignment with a cross? How do I talk about love which sears through evil and darkness and illuminates a whole new way of living?

Perhaps the breath of God may transform the words; perhaps I simply need to open my mouth and utter one thing, however clumsy, inept, or incoherent.

Perhaps all that matters is that I try.

Resurrection Sunday

For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! - Romans 5:10 (emphasis mine)

The resurrection is far more than just a dead man coming back to life - it is proof that Good Friday was not in vain. The power of death has been broken. Death could not hold the Son of God, and by his rising again we see firmly at last that Jesus is indeed God's son, that all that he said about himself was true. What has happened means that life has changed from black and white to technicolor - as the radiance of the resurrection transforms our lives.

The resurrection is essential, for what it showed and what it proved, and in what it means for all of us. Because when we accept Jesus as Saviour and as Lord in our lives, we die with him, and then we live with him. It is the ultimate new beginning, the ultimate transformation, the ultimate moment where death is overcome and life begins anew.

Happy Easter. Happy Resurrection Sunday. May you know the risen Christ more closely every day.

and so today

and so today
they think that hope is dead
when it is merely dormant
waiting
for tomorrow

at the cross

“Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.”

These were the words I read aloud at the end of our Maundy Thursday service yesterday evening, which was a thoughtful service leading us ‘from the table to the garden’.

The words have echoed in my mind.

They deserted him and fled.

As Jesus began the last hours of his journey to the cross, he was alone. Those who surrounded him were not his friends and supporters, but were hostile critics, mockers, haters. He was friendless in the crowd.

Even Pilate’s reluctance to pronounce a sentence upon him was not friendship enough. In the end, he washed his hands of Jesus.

They deserted him and fled.

Peter, buoyant impulsive Peter with all the marks of desperate loyalty: ‘I will never desert you!’ Peter who follows them in secret, wanting to know what will happen. Peter, who then denies even knowing Jesus, not once but three times.

When it came to the crunch, Jesus faced all this alone.

The disciples did not understand, despite all the times he had warned them of what was coming. They did not understand why this had to happen. They could not cope with it when it did.

They deserted him and fled.

Then, after all the trial, to to-ing and fro-ing, being passed between befuddled rulers who could not, or did not, save him, he began the walk to Golgotha.

Only one of the twelve stood before him at the cross, together with Jesus' devoted women followers, distraught at such a moment.

Deserted by his chosen disciples – denied by one, betrayed by another.

Then - condemned to death by those in power.

And so they crucified him.

They did not see the fulfilment of prophecy. They did not understand his way of doing things. He did not ‘fit’ with their idea of a Messiah. He turned everything upside down. They feared revolt and rebellion.

He loved the least and the lost and the ones they had shunned.

And so they crucified him.

What happened at the cross?

What is the atonement? The at-one-ment?

I believe it has a whole rainbow of meaning – many colours, many words. All part of what Jesus achieved on our behalf.

Sacrifice, redemption, ransom, substitution, Love’s ultimate demonstration, victory over evil, the re-alignment of humanity with God, mercy, justice, the path to adoption into God’s family, the greatest swap in the history of the world – our ugliness for his righteousness.

All these, and more, for we can never entirely pin it down. There are always further nuances we can discover about this event which changed the world. Trying to slot God’s action into our ideas of him is not going to give an accurate impression. We need open hearts to learn more, see more, believe more and understand more.

To be crucified was seen to mean the person was under a curse. The crucifixion made no sense to those who observed it, who called out: “Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!!” Matthew 27:40b.

~Does anyone else feel that echo from the testing wilderness moments right at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry (see my thought’s on Luke’s account of this over at Thirsty Ground)?~

It made no sense to those who talked among themselves, and mocked him: "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.' " - Matthew 27:42-43

But he did not come down.

Darkness at the cross.

‘My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?’

That enormous feeling of isolation as one man bore the weight of the world on his shoulders.

But despite all appearances, it didn’t end here.

Vindication is coming.

The end is only the beginning.

***

Last year I posted a hymn by Peter Abelard on Good Friday. Find it here.

To read other bloggers reflecting on Easter, visit this post.

Today:4/10, medium

art as an expression of faith

I was sitting down yesterday evening and decided to get out my sketch pad and pencils. That makes me sound like I do it regularly, but it is very rare for me to do any drawing these days. And without the practise needed, I struggle to create the likeness and perspective that I want. Also, my painful hands are a bit of a problem (note to self-go back to doctor).

However, I decided impulsively to draw my own "picture" of Jesus, since I have been thinking about images of Jesus in this Easter season. This was the result:

I found it quite satisfying to do, and would like to try more, using different expressions and situations. (Note: this is a photograph, not a scan.)

It also made me ponder on the nature of an artist's impression of an event or a person. I was thinking about how there may be elements we disagree with, having seen/imagined it differently. But also how it may open our eyes to a new way of seeing things, evoking an element or facet of something we had not previously discovered.

So, some questions it brought to mind:

• How can we use art as an expression of faith?
• Is there are certain style or piece of art that has impacted you?
• What do you think of as 'art'?

Today: 4/10, medium

the Passion on screen

Browsing through the Radio Times, there doesn't seem to be much Easter-oriented religious programming on in Holy Week. Bar the Greatest Story Ever Told on Channel 4 on Good Friday, the only other thing I could make out was last year's The Passion, from the BBC, being aired in full on BBC4 on Wednesday (I talked a little bit about it last year, search under label 'Easter').

(There is also a programme on Handel's Messiah on Good Friday, but i get the impression it is more about the composer than the subject matter - perhaps I'm wrong.)

This seems ironic to me as Good Friday's spread in RT actually illustrates the events of the "original" Good Friday, crosses at the top, Jesus' followers one side and Roman soldiers the other. But actually finding something relating to it is difficult. Usually there is more relevant programming than this.

Speaking of the Passion, I sat down to watch Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ not that long ago. I know some find it a profound reminder of what happened to Jesus (and I respect that), but for me I'm afraid it was a turn off. The flogging scene was so much focused on the actual gore that I was hiding behind a cushion, not from distress at what was happening to Jesus but because I was totally 'grossed out' for want of a better phrase - seeing skin being ripped off with nails from the lashes was just too much.

My reaction was akin to someone squeamish turning away from a Casualty operation scene than it was to being moved by the events of that day. In the end I was forced to fast forward it to the crucifixion, where I watched Mary kiss Jesus' toes and come away with a mouth covered in blood (ugh), before going on, finally, to the resurrection. By this point I was in such a grossed-out state that it did not have much effect for me.

For me, this was the first portrayal of the crucifixion and previous events that hasn't brought me to tears in some time, because I was so grossed out by the gore, with an underlying awareness of the 'special effects' being used to their utmost (e.g. skin being ripped off).

In the light of the chunk of the film taken up by the flogging - initially I managed to watch but after a while started wondering when it would be over, I found myself quite unmoved in the traditional sense. I think it was because it focused on the Passion itself rather than any previous story about Jesus there wasn't time to build up love and sympathy for the character (this purely an observation of the focus of the film rather than my own faith). And then there was this overload of gore, which for me overcast everything else.

Like I said, I know there are those who are moved by this film, and I don't want to undermine this. Neither do I want to deny the awful suffering of Jesus. I simply found the visuals too gory and gross to actually derive any meaning from it. I don't think I am super-super squeamish (although I probably get more so as I get older), but this was just too much for too long for me. And I watched it while Andy was out, so I was dealing with it by myself.

I'd be interested in hearing anybody else's thoughts.


***
Oh, a related question that I'm always thinking whenever watching any on screen recount of the story of Jesus. Why does he always have to be white?!! Most likely he was dark skinned, neither black nor white (very fitting, in fact). It may have been the way he was portrayed in medieval art (with the additional bizarrity¹ of blond hair, blue eyes, halo etc) but can we finally see a physically realistic Jesus?

¹ Not officially a word, as far as I know.

***

Today: 3-4/10, medium high

Easter words

Am taking a moment to try and contemplate the coming remembrance and celebration that is Easter. And I find I struggle. I get so caught up in the every day; it is hard to focus in the way that I would like. I would like to carve out meaningful thoughts and place them here, to help myself think on what is coming.

But of course, it is not something that happens once a year. It is something that happened once for all, for all time, and so every day I live in the reality of the crucifixion, and the resurrection. The significance of that death, that aching pause of the day inbetween, and the vindication that was the rising again.

And when I think of it, I breathe in and feel a tremor through me – for how I could live, not how I do live. How do I live the reality of Easter, daily? How do I remember the words without using jargon or clichés? There are some fantastic words which talk about what our faith means, but they are in fact such a closed language to those who do not know the meaning of them. How do I talk about it in a fresh, beautiful, heart-touching way? Where can I find a new vocabulary to recapture the meaning of truth?

We tire of cliché and jargon and all the words. We tire of the same ways of saying things. We find some concepts difficult to describe. We want to remember it all in a fresh way. I want to remember it all in a fresh way.

How do I talk about the clogging blackness that sits between God and humanity, and how the white light of what Jesus did blasts it all away? How do I talk about God and us – out of alignment, but put back in alignment with a cross? How do I talk about love which sears through evil and darkness and illuminates a whole new way of living?

Perhaps the breath of God may transform the words; perhaps I simply need to open my mouth and utter one thing, however clumsy, inept, or incoherent.

Perhaps all that matters is that I try.

a brief note on The Passion

I feel I should comment further after having watched Sunday's episode, in case it slips my mind. I did like the episode, although it felt rather short. We were both rather thrown initially by the use of different actors for Jesus, but when he broke the bread and we saw the 'real' Jesus I thought it was actually very effective. However, I feel if that technique was going to be used, Mary should also have seen the 'real' Jesus after realising who she was talking to, to give that same spine-tingling impact. In that scene, giving Jesus a mixture of his own words and those of the angel in the biblical account ('why do you look for the living among the dead?') served to cause a little too much confusion.

Speaking of angels, the whole thing seemed to have a tendency to avoid anything 'supernatural' . The resurrection, key to the story, was essential and so was included - but I did feel it wasn't being quite brave enough with Jesus' actions. He is seen comforting the sick but never healing them. I also felt the true impact of the resurrection could have been expanded on - simply by making the episode longer. Nevertheless, there was no doubt in the physical resurrection of Jesus and it wasn't toned down into a mere 'spiritual experience'. I really did feel a 'buzz' at seeing him again. I just wanted to see more of the risen Jesus - which must be a good thing. All things considered, it has been a powerful production which I would certainly recommend.

and so he lives

Happy Easter!

This morning's service went well, even the sketch. It was entitled 'CSI Jerusalem' - you get the picture. Andy and I were investigating the body at the tomb - or should I say the fact that there wasn't one. It was quite fun to do, once I'd got my nerves in hand. My mind doesn't get particularly nervous. If it weren't anatomically impossible I'd say my stomach has a separate mind of its own. It certainly decides to lurch around at a ridiculous rate. Still, having to change jackets and don a pair of yellow marigolds (we didn't have any latex gloves)in the song before distracted me from my stomach, which was helpful.

I can't write much more now; it is time for Rest Stop 3.

I shall leave with a snippet from my favourite Easter song:

And we are raised with Him,
Death is dead, love has won, Christ has conquered;
And we shall reign with Him,
For He lives: Christ is risen from the dead!

Keith Getty & Stuart Townend, 'See what a morning'

thoughts in the in-between

Easter Saturday. The in-between. The Sabbath when creation held its breath. It is the day we don't quite know what to do with. Of course, then, it would have been a day of sorrow - of continued mourning. But we know what came next, and we can anticipate it.

I went to a local garden centre with Bev this afternoon where we had coffee and earl grey tea - one each, not both together - and wandered around contentedly looking at things, chatting about this and that. I'm looking forward to tomorrow, although Andy and I have to perform this sketch at church, which I am nervous about. The trouble with not being very involved makes it harder to be relaxed when you do do things. Looking forward to singing 'See what a morning' which is one of my very favourite hymns but I always have to wait till Easter to sing it!

Weather as bizarre as ever. Sun is blazing down amid a blue sky - but it's snowed twice today.

We've been watching the BBC's The Passion. I got very engrossed last night. I think it is a good production - the atmosphere is very good, the setting excellent. Caiaphas and Pilate are very well done. I had many other thoughts last night while watching - positive and negative - sometimes it seems that Jesus' words have been skewed, and his character too uncertain - and of course you notice what's added in and what's missing. When it's a story you know so well and believe in, omissions and changes are far more glaring. Some things made me frown; however most thoughts were forgotten when we reached the crucifixion scene, whereby I broke down in tears. It was...excellently done, for want of a better a phrase. Any realistic depiction of the crucifixion always makes me struggle not to cry - in fact I hope it always does. It took sometime to compose myself afterwards because of course this is not just a story - this really happened - they really did crucify a man called Jesus all those years ago.


The portrayal of Judas' anguish was also very moving. I shall be very interested in how they handle tomorrow's episode. They seem to have carefully avoided and veered away from anything 'miraculous' until now, so the resurrection, the most miraculous of all...hmm. I hope they don't fuzzy it up too much. If they want to tell the story of Jesus as in the gospels, they cannot ignore it.


'His scent of wounds,
in which we are now wrapped,
carried us out of that petrified place
into the calm city
where even the dust has been healed.'
from Stewart Henderson's Only at Easter

Good Friday

Alone now going forth, O Lord,
in sacrifice to die;
is all your sorrow naught to us
who pass unheeding by?

Our sins, not yours, you bear, dear Lord;
make us your sorrow feel,
till through our pity and our shame
love answers love’s appeal.

This is earth’s darkest hour, but you
can light and life restore;
then let all praise be given to you
who lives for evermore.

Grant us to suffer with you, Lord,
that, as we share this hour,
your cross may bring us to your joy
and resurrection power.

Peter Abelard (1079 - 1142)
translation F. Bland Tucker

deserted

My thoughts turn to the garden today...not the one outside my back door this time but the one where Jesus agonised before he was taken away. I keep coming back to a sense of isolation - his sense of 'being left'. The disciples had previously stated, very adamantly, that they would never disown him, but they are about to. In a sense, the desertion starts when they fall asleep. We are told that their 'eyes are heavy' - certainly who wouldn't be tired with all that has been going on? Yet this is the time their friend, the one they call master asks them to 'keep watch with me' (Matt 26:38) Not offhandedly either - he tells them 'my soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death'. It's not as if they don't know his state of mind. How hurt and isolated do we feel when we confide our pain in someone else...and they are unresponsive? When we tell someone the enormity of a burden we carry and then they 'switch off' to it moments later? The text doesn't tell us much about the disciples' state of mind - the focus is on the anguished prayer of Jesus. Three times he prays to his father, three times he finds his friends asleep. And then it is time - he is seized, and the 'disciples all deserted him and fled' (Matt 26:56).

And the darkest, loneliest part of the journey begins.

Easter song

As usual, around Easter, I remember a song we used to sing in primary school, during our Easter-time assemblies. The first line was 'why did Jesus suffer so?' and I think, if I try, I can remember the first verse:

'Why did Jesus suffer so
on a cross of shame?Why did Jesus have to gowhen wise men were to blame?Cruel nails, crown of thornsheartache, pain and bitter scornall by Jesus bravely bornjust for you and me...'

Something like that, anyway. I am sure there are two more verses but I have never been able to find it anywhere. The last verse talks about the resurrection, I think, and it frustrates me for some reason that I can't remember it. I haven't the faintest idea who wrote it, but since I can't find any reference to it anywhere, even on the Net, it makes me wonder if it were ever a properly 'published' song at all. I'm pretty sure it was written for children, but I don't know. Every year I think of it and get irritated that I can't find it. The tune whirls around my head - da da dee dum da da dum (I'm sure that helps you tremendously!).