Seeing as it’s very close to that time of year when we celebrate the ‘light in the dark’,
A friendly light
in festivals as diverse as Halloween and Diwali, the beautiful Beautycalypse and I were discussing our favourite ‘light in the dark’ songs. I mentioned Neil Young’s Light a Candle
and, before she turned out her Northern Hemisphere light, and turned in to bed, she reminded me to listen to Leonard Cohen’s Anthem.
So I did; listen, and then I listened again, and again. And then some. I ADORE (IS THAT LOUD ENOUGH?) Leonard Cohen. My words can’t fully express how his music, his voice, his poetry, soothe my soul. Although I must confess that, half the time, I really don’t know what he is on about, but, still, I feel his songs wrapping around my heart like a cosy, comforting, well-worn shawl, saying ‘It’s okay, it’s okay, life can be lived”. Or something, like that; the words are faint; the feeling, the embrace, is strong.
Listening to Anthem, took me back to one of my earlier posts, Ring in the Spring , where I wrote that “we know, deeply, that even a broken bell has its own essential resonance”
Considering my recent visit to the Slough of Despond, I found Leonard Cohen’s reference, (and my own), to the hope/light/life in cracked bells very reassuring; if not sweetly, sublimely, uplifting. So, thank you Beautcalypse for helping to let the shine through, all the way to my small, temporarily “broken” place at the bottom of the world.
And thank you, too, to all my readers and followers and commenters who have been little beacons of light
gently guiding me out of my momentary Slough. If I could sing like Leonard or Neil, I would sing an anthem to you 🙂
Instead, I will share my Millennium Prayer Candle, which has been by my side, and lit on every important occasion, since its first lighting on New Year’s Day 2000.
These are the words of the Millennium Prayer Candle
The Millennium Prayer
Let there be
Respect for the Earth
Peace for its People
Love in our Lives
Delight in the Good
Forgiveness for Past Wrongs
And from now on
A New Start
© silkannthreades
And sincere apologies to anyone if they can see that I have now somehow ‘earned” a WordPress ad at the bottom of my post! Grrrrr!
A couple of years ago I bought the DVD of that entire Leonard Cohen performance. He’s unique, a great talent, and I remember when I first heard of him: it was in January of 1967, on a visit to a friend in the state of Michigan, when someone played a record of Judy Collins singing his song “Suzanne”. After I returned to New York I read his book of poetry, The Spice Box of Earth, and then his novel Beautiful Losers. I’m glad he’s still alive.
I am glad he is still alive too. I have had a quick listen to his latest album. He has spirit.
Another serious Leonard Cohen fan here. Plus, another fan of your blog and all that ‘you bring to the table.’ What great discussions you inspire.
Thank you. Isn’t it wonderful how Cohen unites so many of us all around the world?
Young and Cohen are very well-represented in my vast music collection. I need constant music in my life. Right now, as I’m camping out in your blog, I’m listing to Winger, a metal group from the ’80s and ’90s that I just discovered a few days ago.
Winger is new to me. Something else to look up. I don’t need music all the time but ,when I am in the mood for a particular sound, I tend to play it over and over till the rest of the household wants to disconnect the sound!
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Thank you for recording the Millenium Prayer and widgeting it to your blog. And Neil Young- we have some CDs here too….he is still singing and protesting against war and American involvement.
Whoops Millennium….I think this time?
Yes; it’s a tricky one! It trips me up, all the time.
I was surprised to find that Neil Young was still recording. But why I should have been, I don’t know. And I couldn’t find a recording of the Millennium Prayer so I thought that ‘someone, someone has to you see’, and that someone was me 🙂
Let there be
Respect for the Earth
Peace for its People
Love in our Lives
Delight in the Good
Forgiveness for Past Wrongs
And from now on
A New Start
How perfect is this? And as close to as possible for a person, are you! Hugz~
Hugz are wonderful , thanks. It is a lovely prayer. Probably needs to be said each day! Not just on a millennium!
Beautiful post Gallivanta !
I love candles so much and love to watch their dancing lights in the dark .
Also love Leonard Cohen ‘s voice too .
Thank you for sharing this beautiful post 😃❤️
Aren’t candles so lovely? For those of us who no longer have fireplaces, the candle is a wonderful reminder of our gathering round the warmth of the fire.
I love candles, I love Lucia (our traditional celebration of light here in Sweden), I love that poem and the Leonard Cohen concert I went to at the Globe Arena a few years ago is one of THE BEST concerts I have ever been to… so, yeah… I love this post :D!
So glad that you do. I am looking forward to seeing a post on Lucia. A new one because I remember that you shared your love of this special day with us last year.
Yes, I have made a mistake somewhere. I will have another go.
Halloween is not a tradition in Scandinavia, but we got a commersial variety now (in shops), but i Love Cohen and we need some lights in the dark too.
Yes, we all need those little lights in the dark. It seems that Cohen is loved all over the world. 🙂 I think you celebrate All Saints Day with candles by the graves of loved ones. Is that right?
Where can I listen to the recitation of The Millennium Prayer ? This is another lovely post from you. Thank you.
ps. Now your new post appeared again in my inbox. 😀
I couldn’t find a recitation of The Millennium Prayer. Does this mean I will have to record it ? 🙂 At the time of the Millennium there was a lot of information on the internet and in the media about the Prayer Candle but I can’t find anything useful now. So glad my posts are back in your Inbox.
Yes, I just need to enjoy your voice . I have had been listening Leonard Cohen since I was young. Please!!! 🙂
Well, my voice is certainly different from Leonard Cohen’s!You have set me a challenge. It would actually be nice to record the Millennium Prayer since I can’t find it recorded anywhere else.
Sounds Good. I hardly can’t wait.Thank you.
I have managed to put it on the sidebar. I wanted to put it in the comments but that didn’t work. 🙂
Very good! Now, the volume is much much better. It is almost the same way with Cohen’s recitation but faster. I really appreciate it and I am impressed with your lovely accent. Congrats ! Gallivanta. 🙂
Thanks for your appreciation 🙂
Lovely post! You have “lightened” up my day!
If you dislike the ads, you can opt for a $100 custom package (good for 1 year) and you will not have to endure the ads. I did this and you get lots more color and font options (and I think your domain name gets registered too?).
So glad to have brought you light 🙂 So far the ads aren’t too troublesome but it’s good to know that you are enjoying the Custom package. I wouldn’t mind a few font options 🙂
Another Leonard Cohen fan here! He is truly brilliant, and I wish I could have seen him in concert the last time he travelled to our city. Hopefully there will be another opportunity. I’m so behind on my reading I just caught your “despond” post; I’m so sorry you are going through this fight with your pension, I hope there might yet be a way to resolve the issue in your favour. Your crostata looked beautiful and delicious, though – perfect comfort food!
Is Leonard Cohen a Canadian National Treasure perhaps? I have missed several of his live concerts but, actually, I don’t mind so much because with the internet I can play his songs over and over which is very satisfactory. Yes, I wish I didn’t feel the need to fight over a pension. It takes far too much energy 🙂 But then maybe that is an excuse to fortify myself with more pie!
I’m glad you’ve found some beacons of light to take you out of the slough of despond. I agree that Leonard Cohen is a remarkable poet, singer and songwriter. I went to his concert recently in London and was blown away. I believe he’s touring in your part of the world soon.
How lovely that you were able to go to his concert. I think he will be in NZ in December. I need to check. He does a great deal of travelling and touring, it seems.
I very much like your Millennium candle. Each day a new start 🙂
Thank you. I need to remember that last line; I need to remember it a lot!!!!!!
Nice post! Leonard Cohen has such a beautiful voice, you never get tired of him.
It was a beautiful prayer too.
Thank you. 🙂
Happy Diwali! I bought a candle today but haven’t lit it yet, it’s a vanilla one and I’m looking around to find a suitable holder for it – for some reason I only have tea light holders. 🙂
Diwali is a moveable feast here. Never quite sure of the actual day/night. When will Singapore celebrate Diwali?
Sorry it’s taken a day and a half to answer your question! I think it’s November 3rd which is a Sunday (and my wedding anniversary too!) and we have Monday 4th as a Public Holiday 🙂
Well, that’s lovely to have a holiday for your wedding anniversary 🙂 I probably should check the Times of India for some advice on dates. Or just celebrate on Nov 3rd like Singapore will be!
Happy Diwali whichever day it is! 🙂
YES!
Just found out it’s been changed to November 2nd here! Phew, can’t keep up with this.
Really! I just checked on Time and Date.com and was coming here, all excited, to tell you that the date is indeed November 3rd. Oh well, if we fiddle around enough we can make it coincide with Guy Fawkes Day, which is still celebrated here with great gusto.
What! How confusing.. well all I need to know really is that my kids are off school on the Monday, whichever date it is!
Yes, as long as the school holiday is unchanged!
Oh, and I’m glad they don’t celebrate Guy Fawkes Day here in Singapore – too loud! Aren’t I miserable…
I am miserably mean about Guy Fawkes! I wish it would fade away; quietly. At least in this part of the world.
Right on!
Did you hear that? ADORE! I sang that with you…about Mr. C. He is one of my favorite soul soothers too! Still listening….thanks for sharing 🙂
I heard you, loud and clear 🙂 I am just having a spot of lunch and then I will join you and Mr C in some more singing along. I can sing as loud as I like because my son is not home to complain 🙂 Does Bumble like to sing along? My Jack likes to sing with me.
Bumble is not much for singing, but he loves to listen – encourages and claps his paws 🙂 Says hi to Jack. We wish you great duets today!
Thank you 🙂 Bow Wow.
Yes, the wordpress ads are just great aren’t they…big sigh!! I love the prayer on the candle and the tradition you have each year. I think it is so important to families to have these traditions…it is one of the things that keep us solid.
Yes, sigh! At least the ads are not yet as troublesome as those that appear on Facebook. Only a matter of time though before they catch up. 😦
Pleased you love the prayer too. You can tell how sparingly I use my candle; I have made it last 13 years!!!!
Such a lovely post with lovely thoughts. I have never heard of Leonard Cohen or Neil Young. What a treat. Love both. My kind of songs!
Hooray, that I was able to give you a musical treat 🙂
Beautiful post! Such relevant and lovely thoughts. It’s so odd how Cohen’s Anthem keeps turning up lately. One of my favorite writers, Louise Penny, titled her most recent mystery “How the Light Gets In,” using the song as a reference! Have you read her books? If not, don’t start with this one–start at the beginning of the series. They are all wonderful and build to this last one. Glad you sound happier!
Thank you so very very much for taking me to Louise Penny. I haven’t read her books but remember reading about her some time ago. It was lovely to go across to her home page and refresh my memory. I am quite sure I would love her books and it’s very exciting to see that Still Life is being filmed..
I love Leonard Cohen! He always know exactly what to say. I like “light in the dark” it sound so warm and comforting. It’s funny how traditions start.
Regarding WordPress ads, I think they decided they needed more money. I had one crop up on my site too. 😦
Aren’t we a wonderful Leonard Cohen fan club? Do you think he knows how many of us love him via WordPress? 🙂 I would be okay with an ad for his albums on my blog; or something over which I had some control/say.
Heartfelt post with gems of wisdom–thanks for transporting the light through cyberspace. See you soon.
Light travels so well 🙂
oh, I’m so happy our chat inspired you, even though through the words and music of another person 🙂
and how simple but powerful – and wonderful is the millennium prayer!
besides, I think what makes mr cohen stand out even more is his wisdom and a wicked sense of humour, paired with kindness. you cannot write words like those and not be wise and kind. and we are all attracted by wisdom and humour. even more: evil men are never wise, and they have no sense of humour.
(another name on my list of favourite human beings: sir peter ustinov)
p.s. I have adblock on. so no worries 🙂
Oh I do agree about Mr Cohen’s humour and wisdom. You can hear it in his recordings and you can see it when he performs. It’s delicious. Tell me more about Sir Peter Ustinov. I loved his autobiography and his acting. What other special stories do you have about him?
Glad you enjoyed the Millennium Prayer; it was good for me to read it again.
sir peter wrote an AMAZING book on prejudice, and the best part, he wrote it in german! it’s really philosophy with bits of memoir… and when you read it, you can’t help but hear his fantastic, dorky voice 🙂 ❤ ❤ ❤
He wrote in German! He had Russian and Ethiopian heritage I believe. Don’t know if he knew those languages though.
english, russian, german, french, italian, spanish, greek and turkish! 🙂
A true polyglot.
yes. I’m highly envious but not interested in greek. turkish maybe, just to get along in some of berlin’s hoods 😀 japanese sounds very interesting both grammar-wise and from the pronounciation, something very different to any other language I speak.
And how many languages do you speak? And, just btw, I have the highest regard for polyglots and linguists as ‘lights” in our world; and Ustinov was very much a ‘light’ for UNICEF and the children of the world.
yes, yes he was. a great man. and a good man, too; a real global citizen.
I speak four languages only (english, german, russian, french), and understand two more (italian, spanish).
Most of us, in the land of ‘down under’ are so hopelessly mono-lingual that the fact that you speak ONLY four languages would simply blow our minds. Yet one of the greatest linguists of all time was a New Zealander, Harold Williams. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Williams_%28linguist%29
yes, of course, I know the name 🙂 he makes cameo appearances in russian memoirs. an amazing man, 58 languages. AND a vegetarian btw!
what I have the most difficulty with are sibling languages like italian and spanish, I get totally stuck and blocked with the vocabulary so I stop trying. meh.
So glad you know him! Most New Zealanders do not! And here is another of our famous vegetarians “In 1899 the Christchurch Vegetarian Society was formed. The first meeting was held in the Toneycliffe and Carey Building, on the corner of Colombo and Gloucester Streets. 30 members joined at this meeting and another ten joined within the first month. This group had many feminists and in 1901, Kate Sheppard announced that the Christchurch Vegetarian Society would be affiliated with the National Council of Women of which she was President. The Society was affiliated to the London Vegetarian Union and imported vegetarian leaflets from overseas. Monthly meetings were held and activities included cookery demonstrations and cookery demonstrations.” We’ll forgive you your difficulties with sibling languages ..lol!
oh, history. love it.
well, once you consider the rights of living beings, it doesn’t stop at women, children and the elderly people.
on a related note. have you seen gorgeous sir patrick stewart gorgeously do this gorgeous thing: http://www.amnesty.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=10633
I also believe that respect for life is key. no other animal in the world has so much disrespect for life… (obviously I’m talking about factory farming, or in fact, factory everything. it’s the factory/industrial/anonymous mind set that leads us “out of the light” – spoken with a nod to the post of course)
Indeed I had not seen the Gorgeous Sir Patrick doing that gorgeous thing. Sad, but wonderful. I adore Patrick Stewart, and most especially adore him as Captain Picard. Is there a woman of my age who doesn’t adore Captain Picard? As Picard, he was big on Respect for Life, in all its form, was he not?
I believe that captain picard is really every geek girl’s hero.
and sir patrick seems to be a wonderful person too.
by the way I had the incredible chance to meet the third-generation adventurer, monsieur bertrand piccard (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bertrand_Piccard#The_Piccard_family) it’s this family name where the writers got inspiration for, yes, captain jean-luc picard 🙂
Wow, he is some adventurer! They should make Jean-luc an honorary member of their family 😉 I had no idea that there was this connection; I think this calls my geek cred in to question 😀
thumbs up > honorary member 😀
hey, all’s fine with your geek cred, there’s such a vast field of facts and factoids in each fandom, it’s impossible to keep track. if you have a life, that is 🙂
That’s reassuring! Besides I am too scatty to concentrate hugely on one fandom arena.
hey, I don’t even like to be part of a fandom. it usually gets quite creepy. tumblr, looking at YOU.
I KNOW!!!!!! I don’t actually go to tumblr because it scares me.
same here. really creepy.
The “Neil Young’s Light a Candle” song is just so touching for me too. The music, his voice are hard to describe. +1 to this song and play it one more time.
“… And from now on A New Start” is good ending. It is hopeful.
Very nice post.
It is a hopeful ending and makes for a hopeful beginning too. May each day bring you a new start and new hope. Let’s keep our candles lit 🙂
lovely candles
Thank you.
I think that you must be a Canadian!!! Another excellent post!
“You go to Heaven once you’ve been to Hell”
― Leonard Cohen
BTW, I am following you on Soundcloud!!!
Oh How Cute to have a follower. I better make some more recordings 🙂 And, honestly, I sometimes wonder if I am part Canadian.!!!!! There is so much I love about Canada and her people 🙂
I have to agree that Canadians are really wonderful people. I have met many in my travels and those visiting here and I always just have an “I thought so” moment when they tell me where they are from. Plus, Canadians always smile at my dogs (Americans too).
The power of music is something that I try never to take for granted and I appreciate it most when struggling through a hard time. While it is not nearly as iconic as Mr. Young or Mr. Cohen’s songs, there is a song that popped back into my head yesterday after a few month’s absence: http://youtu.be/2CE33bRPgrk. I believe that you are a person of Faith, so perhaps the lyrics will not speak to you but the beauty of her voice…?
A very special piece of music and I love the title of the Album “Lost where I Belong” as well as the song title, Draw the Stars. If the weather is warm, sometimes I go out to look at the night sky before I go to bed; do a little twirl on the driveway ;). Andreya might approve!
Canadians; I meet so few in real life but Jack’s vet is Canadian and she is lovely, lovely, lovely with him, and me. Most people I meet in RL, and virtually, are lovely 🙂
I recently found out I am a Canadian – No joke! All my life I have been living along not knowing and now I know and I don’t see the difference – or was I different from the start and didn’t notice that either?
Thank you for the nice music. Leonard is looking very put together! I thought a bad man could have a sense of humor, but now I am going re-think this proposition maybe I was wrong – maybe bad men don’t have a sense of humor? Leonard has a sense of humor and I always thought he was a little bit good and a little bit bad . . .
Elephant
You are Canadian, too!!! Of course you were different from the start; everyone is! Happily, I haven’t met any really bad men, outside of fairy tales and newspapers. Rumpelstiltskin didn’t have a sense of humour. But was he a man???? Was he truly bad?
Well, Rump was a terrible individual, but I too don’t think he was a man exactly. He took the brat thing to the n’th degree. Unfortunately, I have known bad men – some were charming and part of their charm was a sense of humor – probably faked, but they could be funny. So, despite not liking the idea I will have to admit to knowing bad men and knowing a few with a sense of humor.
Elephant
PS Someday we will discuss Canadians!
I will take heed of your experience!
I am glad someone can make use of it!
E
Yes, I will heed it but I hope I won’t actually have to use it. I don’t want to meet baddies of any gender 😦