Shape and Substance, No. 18
by Paul Hooker
Tomorrow is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. Here is a hymn I wrote for Advent/Holy Week/ Triduum that seeks to see the entire sweep of the gospel narrative under the rubric of silence. The tune is NOËL NOUVELET, a French melody familiar to most of us either the Christmas Carol, “SIng We Now of Christmas” or as an Easter hymn, “Now the Green Blade Rises.” I would recommend using a slower tempo than either of those settings if you choose to sing the hymn below.
You can see the entire text without the framing technical material if you click the priner icon in the upper right corner. You have my permission to print and use this hymn if you so desire.
All the best,
Paul
Shape and Substance 
This is so fine, Paul. I read the music of this hymn. Not many people could accomplish that.
Also, I have been meaning to write to tell you how much your notes and commentary enriched the class San was teaching a couple weeks ago. I kept copies of your notes and shared them with several friends. I so appreciate your perspective (especially the comment about the placement of that comma before rather than after the word “still”). We surely do miss you and Pat.
I am wondering how Calder is. Is he improving?
Hoping to see you before long, Paul. Hug Pat for me.
Lots of love,
Jan
>
LikeLike
Jan, so glad you like the hymn. And delighted that the commentaries on the Muir poems were helpful. They were fun to write.
Calder is doing OK. His kidney problems are chronic, but don’t seem to be worsening much. He seems to have developed some sort of heart arrhythmia. He had to wear a halter monitor for 24 hours two days this week (not fun for any of us), and we should have the results in a few days.
Love to you and San.
P
LikeLike
Paul, this hymn is so delicate. It feels like lace.
LikeLike