Author Archives: Dr. Crystal Grimes

Two #Hanukkah Songs #Chanukah #Music

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The Jewish Festival of Lights begins tonight! In the spirit of celebration and friendship, I offer you two Hanukkah songs played on zither and viola.

The first is “Chanukah.” I couldn’t find out who wrote these lyrics and music; so, please share if you know! It’s the 10th song on
this page,
under the “Chanukah” heading.

The second is “I Have a Little Dreidel,” also known by many other names! It is so popular that even non-Jewish people recognize it. Though I’m not Jewish, I have played Dreidel with Jewish friends during Hanukkah, and won some chocolate gelt, too! You know, those foil-covered chocolate coins that often come in a mesh bag and bring the promise of sweetness! You can read more about this fun and popular song
here.

You can also listen to the
First Night Chanukah Blessings
I recorded with ukulele last year.

I wish everyone who is celebrating a happy, blessed, sweet, and joyous Hanukkah/Chanukah! Gotta love those latkes! 😀

This post is part of my Holiday Blogging Party.
You’re invited!
Please click the link, and participate as much as you like!

The Open Door #Decima #Poem

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The door will open if we knock–
For everyone, not just a few.
And that includes Uniquely You!
You hold the key to fit the lock.

No expiration, time or clock,
But readiness of soul and mind
To claim the peace and love we find.
No need to wait until we fail
For one last hope or holy hail.
The place is here, and now’s the time!

—
Written for
Ronovan Writes Décima Poetry Challenge Prompt No. 35: (KNOCK) in the A rhyme line.

“Come, Ye Shepherds” #Advent #Music

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“Kommet, Ihr Hirten” (“Come, Ye Shepherds”) is a traditional German Christmas carol. However, it is based on an earlier Czech carol, entitled “Nesem vám noviny.” The melody is Bohemian, author unknown. Carl Riedel wrote the German lyrics, and the carol was first published in 1870.

The lyrics urge “Shepherds, men and women” to come to the Nativity scene and see the “lovely child.” They describe the angel’s visit, the shepherds’ walk to the manger, and their adoration of the Lord who has brought “peace on earth, goodwill to all mankind.”

I hope you enjoy this arrangement featuring melody and harmony on Oriole (soprano) and alto recorder respectively, lyre accompaniment, and the German lyrics I learned from a record album about 20 years ago!

This post is part of my Holiday Blogging Party. Want to participate?
Click here to learn how!

Ode to Eggs #Poem

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I was never really fond of eggs
until I became a vegan!
Now there’s a prime example of,
“You always want what you can’t have!”
There I was, no animal products allowed,
when suddenly, eggs became one of my favorite foods!

I can’t say I had a tangerine dream about them,
or maybe I did
and just don’t want to admit it!
I can still see eggs now in my mind,
bright yellow as morning sun rays!
Yum!

Eggs are easy peasy to prepare
and take no time at all,
a blessing at breakfast–
the most important meal of the day!

I like them scrambled,
fried,
baked in a casserole or over a hearthstone fire,
and almost any other way
besides in a puddle on my plate!

If I were an astronaut,
would I like them freeze-dried?
Would I fortify myself with a couple space-age eggs
before a difficult day of moon walking?
Or return to my vintage turquoise spaceship
and whip some up before a cozy nap in my pod?

I’ll never know!
Space may be the final frontier,
but I enjoy my eggs
just fine
right here
right now
on earth!

—
My response to Linda Kruschke’s
Paint Chip Poetry Prompt #49