Saturday, July 14, 2012

Freedom and Fathering





The days of knights in shining armor are long since gone;
The men who join us in partnership protect us from harm.
If we can all become grateful for the parts we all play,
Perhaps the bonds of marriage will, one day, manage to stay.
 
How wonderful it will be when our men outlive us women;
Maybe then, all of us, can be be seen as friends.
The women will stop acting as those who protect
The men, whom our society, continues to reject.

We will decide what we lack to bring up our babes;
And, by all of our society, we should be praised.
There will be no more measuring each generation
By the respective positions in parents' life's stations.

It does take baby boys longer to gain their strength;
When fathers are absent to teach them for what they're meant
While becoming men, once they are removed from mama's arms,
Where are the real men, to protect the boys from harm?

Why do we continue to have men following like dumb sheep,
Instead of making societal rules that  they are willing to keep?
We women of strength are tired of correcting bad boys,
Who see women and children as part of their own play toys.

So many men pretend that they have no responsibility,
And for babies that aren't proven as blood, they are responsibility free.
Where are the many sons and brothers of Abraham, Jacob and Jesus
Who, from the mistakes of our ancestors, were sent to free us?

I am oftentimes angry because it's courage that we lack;
Even generations who steps forward  are dragged back.
Our religions continue to crucify any woman who is strong
Contending that, from the beginning of time, we invented wrong.

If Adam had the will and the courage to say no to Eve,
Perhaps we would not be in, such cowardice, conceived.
If both partners stop acting as if they have no functioning brains 
Some fun may be lost, but mutual respect will remain.

It seems that human society swings the pendulum;
From mutual responsibility, we continue to run.
There are not "women's problems" and the problems of men;
Partnership is that on which families actually depend.











Hail, Holy Families

Why isn't Mary hailed as a hero, instead of a lovely lady in a veil?
If the family of Jesus had been earthly royalty, we'd be singing, "All hail!"
How many mothers have the strength to allow their children to succeed,
Knowing that they'll be rejected for not following the world of greed?

How many fathers can watch their wives hurt, and hold them in their grief,
Without becoming frightened and attempting to make the pain cease?
How many sons, knowing their own strength, submit to parental love,
Knowing that their destiny will, that of their parents, rise above?

How many parents have the wisdom to celebrate our children,
Even knowing the pain of separation when we finally lose them?
Did Jesus often visit his parents, once he became a man?
Did his parents find new joy in each other, as Jesus followed his plan?

What were Jesus' favorite foods when he came home for holidays?
Did Jesus find fault with them, or offer his parents praise?
Did Jesus come to scorn the simplicity of his family,
Or did he reassure them that, from his heart, they'd never be free?

I wish I knew the answers to The Holy Family's everyday lives;
How, with all the pain of parenting, their courage survived.
I know many mothers and fathers who go through similar things,
But I guess they can't bear to share all the pain it brings.

Would it be any easier if I knew my children's final fate?
Did Mary and Joseph know all along, or did they, too, have to wait?
I used to think that my joy in this life would be to see my children as parents;
As their own children become adults, I feel like to hell, I've been sent.

Spanish Carol, tr. Eleanor Walker

Title

Alepun

Language

English, with the Spanish refrain "alepun"

Date Written

Unknown

Listing

Mary rides the mountain pathway, alepun.
Through the dark and mist of Judah's night, alepun.
Alepun, ale-alepun,
Alepun, ale-alepun,
Alepun, alepun!
Birds sing out in expectation, alepun.
While the sparkling waters ring with laughter, alepun.
Refrain
Good Saint Joseph guides the donkey, alepun.
While the infant sleeps 'neath Mary's heart, alepun.
Refrain
We are waiting with our Lady, alepun.
For the dawning of our Savior's birth, alepun.
Refrain
(Note: each line is sung twice.)
Text Copyright © Grail Singers, Loveland, Ohio, 45140.

Source

The record, Grailville Sings, by the Grail Singers, Loveland, Ohio, 45140.