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Monday, January 16, 2012

Psalm 23 ~ Bobby McFerrin


Bobby McFerrin does something remarkable with Psalm 23. The music is lovely, but the most significant thing he does here is to use the feminine pronoun in reference to God. It is amazing what this shift does for the effect of the psalm. The first time my wife and I heard it was on a PBS telecast several years ago  I think it was with the Boston Pops concert series. We were both moved to tears as we listened. The song also appears on McFerrin's CD, Medicine Music. Here's a You Tube version, scroll down to read the lyrics. 








The 23rd Psalm
By Bobby McFerrin

The Lord is my Shepard, I have all I need,
She makes me lie down in green meadows,
Beside the still waters, She will lead.

She restores my soul, She rights my wrongs,
She leads me in a path of good things,
And fills my heart with songs.

Even though I walk, through a dark & dreary land,
There is nothing that can shake me,
She has said She won't forsake me,
I'm in her hand.

She sets a table before me, in the presence of my foes,
She anoints my head with oil,
And my cup overflows.

Surely, surely goodness & kindness will follow me,
All the days of my life,
And I will live in her house,
Forever, forever & ever.

Glory be to our Mother, & Daughter,
And to the Holy of Holies,
As it was in the beginning, is now & ever shall be,
World, without end. Amen.



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A Jungian Appreciation of Mary



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6 comments:

  1. WOW! I couldn't move after hearing that...such a peace had come over me. I'm a big McFerrin fan but had no idea of this. Thanks for bringing it to the top.
    David
    http://www.davidbrazzeal.com

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  2. Thanks for stopping by, David, and thank you for the fascinating and inspiring NPR interview with Bobby McFErrin that you posted on your own blog: http://davidbrazzeal.wordpress.com/2012/10/15/bobby-mcferrin/

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  3. Since when has Bobby McFerrin been writing Anglican chant? Love it!

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    1. Yes, Johano, that's from the CD, Medicine Music, which came out in 1990. Here's a link where you can see some amazing things he does with Ave Maria at a music workshop: http://youtu.be/14LcvpXmb74

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  4. Why does everyone think this is so "amazing"?? How bigoted that McFerrin refuses to address Our Lord in His preferred pronoun. McFerrin would be arrested in Sweden-- not to mention incurring HIS wrath on judgement day.

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    1. Prepare to be shocked, Nony. When your soul gets to Heaven and is confronted by God, it will be chastised for your misogynist and racist opinions. The greatest heresy of humankind is the literal interpretation of the Bible. Take another look at your comment and tell me who the bigot is.

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