Author Archives: Dr. Crystal Grimes

“Carolan’s Lament” #Music

Posted on by

Download “Carolan’s Lament” Mp3

Here’s a tune composed by Turlough O’Carolan, the well-known Irish harper who was blind. Carolan was born in 1670 and died in 1738. He traveled throughout his home country of Ireland, composing harp pieces for his patrons in exchange for their hospitality, room, and board. Some of Carolan’s music was written down by others, and about 300 of his pieces still survive today.

Since I don’t have a harp yet, I’m playing “Carolan’s Lament” on zither. I hope you enjoy it!

“O Perfect Love” #Music

Posted on by

Download “O Perfect Love” Mp3

This is a prayer hymn that was written for, and is often still sung at Christian wedding ceremonies. Dorothy F. Gurney wrote the lyrics in 1883 for her sister’s wedding. In 1889 Joseph Barnby composed the melody most commonly heard today.

I hope you enjoy this beautiful hymn played on Oriole (soprano) recorder and lyre! Apologies for the sneezes in the background! You know what they say: “In sickness and in health…”

Light #Decima #Poem

Posted on by

Light, the Source of all created,
Substance of our fate and fortune.
Grab a lantern; bring a torch in!
We may know, yet still debate it.

Light! The One for whom we’ve waited–
Not “out there,” but deep inside us:
Spark that Providence provided.
Where is yours? O let it shimmer!
Vanquish darkness with a glimmer!
Light! The One we all reside in!

—
Written for
Ronovan Writes Décima Poetry Challenge Prompt No. 48: (FORTUNE) in the B rhyme line.