Author Archives: Dr. Crystal Grimes

“Madrid” #Music

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Download “Madrid” Mp3

The Spanish traditional melody, “Madrid,” has also been published as
“Seville.” It is the musical setting for the hymn, “Come, Christians,
Join to Sing.” Christian henry Bateman wrote the lyrics in the 1800’s.
However, they are a rewritten version of a hymn by William Edward
Hickson, “Join Now in Praise, and Sing,” also written in the 1800’s.
Both hymns are in the public domain in the United States. Although we
no longer need to be concerned with copyright issues, we should still
give credit where credit is due.

My arrangement of “Madrid” is played on lyre, alto recorder, and
viola. I hope you enjoy it, and wish you a happy, peaceful, and safe
Palm Sunday!

“Chaverim Tovim” #Music

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Download “Chaverim Tovim” Mp3

Since Passover begins this evening, here is a medley of two Hebrew
songs. Well, one original called “Erev Tov,” (Good Evening), and a
traditional Hebrew folksong called “Shalom Chaverim,” variously
translated as “Hello Friends,” “Good-bye Friends,” and “Peace to You,
My Friends.”

These are played on zither and Oriole (soprano) recorder, and “Shalom
Chaverim” is a 2-part round. I’ve named this medley “Chaverim Tovim,”
which means “Good Friends.”

I hope you enjoy these two pieces!

Why Do We Exist?

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Have you ever wondered why some people exist?

Why do people harm themselves and others? Why does humankind, as a
whole, refuse to change for the better, even when we know–well–we
know it would be better? Why do we keep repeating the same negative
patterns, ineffective communication styles, emotional blackmail,
mental and physical abuse, and other destructive behaviors over and
over and over?

Why don’t we learn from our mistakes? And why do those whom we believe
“deserve” to be hurt, seem to come through without a scratch, while
bad things continually happen to “good” people?

I have no answers! Instead, *I prefer keeping in mind even the
possibility that existence has its own reason for being!

—
My 117-word response for
dVerse Prosery: Possibilities.

*— Wisława Szymborska, “Possibilities”

A Chipmunk Sneezed #Poem

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Through whirling wind and swirling leaves,
I’m sure I heard a chipmunk sneeze!

No other thing or person round
To make that funny “HAH!” like sound.

Through swirling wind and whirling leaves,
Could chipmunks, too, have allergies?

“Bless you!” I whispered, soft but clear
To let him know I care and hear.

Through whirling wind and swirling leaves,
I’m sure I heard a chipmunk sneeze!

—
A true story, immortalized in verse for
Eugi’s Weekly Prompt: Swirling.

Call me crazy, but I know what I heard! 😀