The Potentially Bleak Midwinter

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The Potentially Bleak Midwinter

January 5, 2011 by pageantmusic

If you’re like me, one of your least favorite traditions of January and February is being depressed. Perhaps is a result of living in the northeast; not far enough north to be surrounded by the winter beauty of New England, rather surrounded by the slush of Philadelphia (which actually does have it’s charm). As I strive to make a steady post of songs in 2011 on the Pageant Music site, the words “Are you weary?” came to mind. So I thought it would be fitting to post a setting of this beautiful text of St. Stephen the Sabaite. The translation is by J.M. Neale with some altering I made to the text. The second song Come Unto Me Ye Weary is thematically linked, drawing on Jesus’s words in Matthew 11:28. We find ultimate rest and peace through Christ, despite our mood swings and seasonal depression. PEACE in HIM.

Are You Weary


ART thou weary, art thou languid,
Art thou sore distrest?
“Come to Me,” saith One, “and coming
Be at rest!”

Hath He marks to lead me to Him,	5
If He be my Guide?
“In His Feet and Hands are wound-prints,
And His side.”

Hath He diadem as Monarch
That His Brow adorns?	10
“Yea a Crown, in very surety,
But of thorns.”

If I find Him, if I follow,
What His guerdon here?
“Many a sorrow, many a labour,	15
Many a tear.”

If I still hold closely to Him,
What hath He at last?
“Sorrow vanquished, labour ended,
Jordan past.”	20

If I ask Him to receive me,
Will He say me nay?
“Not till earth, and not till Heav’n
Pass away.”

Finding, following, keeping, struggling,	25
Is He sure to bless?
“Angels, Martyrs, Prophets, Virgins,
Answer, Yes!”

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