3 Quarters Today

My Life, my photography, my passions

video

Easter Version of Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen

by

New Easter Lyrics to Hallelujah – Kelly Mooney Version

I love Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”, my kids have sung it in choir and when I heard the following version by Kelley Mooney written with spiritual and liturgical lyrics I knew I wanted to post the song and video on my blog for the Easter season.

History of Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen wrote this song in 1984 and struggled with it for many years with it going through 80 drafts verses before settling on the final edit.

Considering the struggle to write and originally publish the song it has been covered and sung by more than 300 artists and sold more than 5 million copies (source Wikipedia). In 2013 it was sung at Fenway Park to honor the victims of the Boston Marathon Bombings before the Red Sox game.

Lyrics to Hallelujah- Kelly Mooney Easter Version

You may have the music to the original Hallelujah version, but if you would like to substitute the words here are the lyrics to the New Easter lyrics to Hallelujah by Kelly Mooney.

Celebrate Easter with the an Easter Halleluja Cohen version writen for Easter.

Lyrics to An Easter Hallelujah – Leonard Cohen Music

A crown of thorns placed on His head
He knew that He would soon be dead
He said did you forget me Father did you?
They nailed Him to a wooden cross
Soon all the world would feel the loss
Of Christ the King before His Hallelujah

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah

He hung His head and prepared to die
Then lifted His face up to the sky
Said I am coming home now Father to you
A reed which held His final sip
Was gently lifted to his lips
He drank His last and gave His soul to glory

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah

The soldier who had used his sword
To pierce the body of our Lord
Said truly this is Jesus Christ our Savior
He looked with fear upon his sword
Then turned to face his Christ and Lord
Fell to his knees crying HallelujahChoir Sings Hallelujah

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah

Took from his head the thorny crown
And wrapped him in a linen gown
And laid him down to rest inside the tomb
The holes in his hands, his feet and side
Now in our hearts we know he died
To save us from ourselves oh hallelujah

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah

Three days went by again they came
To move the stone to bless the slain
With oil and spice anointing hallelujah
But as they went to move the stone
They saw that they were not alone
But Jesus Christ has risen Hallelujah

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah

Elmwood-Murdock Choir Sings Hallelujah

As you know, or maybe you don’t, I am very proud of our local Elmwood-Murdock school choir. More than 75% of the student body participates in the music program. So enjoy the original version of Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen. Please excuse the recording and the baby in the background. Enjoy and have a wonderful Easter.

Leonard Cohen Songs and Sheet Music

Essential Leonard CohenCheck PriceHal Leonard Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen arranged for piano, vocal and guitarCheck PriceLeonard Cohen: Hallelujah: A New BiographyCheck Price

 Have a wonderful and Glorius Easter Season! May your family be Blessed each and every day!


12 Interesting Facts About Flag Day

by

Flag Day is rarely observed by a large population of the United States, but it is one of the oldest American Holidays dating back to 1861, in all places, my birth place, Hartford Connecticut. Today take time to celebrate Flag Day with a little flag history, a little patriotic music, and show your pride by waving or displaying an American flag not only today but everyday.

Interesting Facts About Flag Day

Facts About Flag Day

  1. George Morris held the first unofficial Flag Day in 1861, but the idea didn’t catch on. (source)
  2. In 1885 Bernard J Cigrand from Waubeka, Wisconson held the first recognized Flag Day
  3. The Flag Day Association was founded in 1888 in Western Pennsylvania.
  4. June 14 was proclaimed as the first Flag Day by President Woodrow Wilson.
  5. School teacher Bernard Cigrand is credited by the National Flag Day Foundation for leading the charge, resulting in a Congressional declaration in 1949 by President Harry Truman
  6. Pennsylvania is the only state to have Flag Day as a state holiday.
  7. Fairfield Washington has the longest running Flag Day Parade and has held it every year (but one) since 1909.
  8. Flag Day is also the birthday of the United States Army, founded on June 14, 1775.
  9. Only the president and governors of a state can order flags on government buildings to be flown at half staff (23 Facts About the Flag)
  10. The original American flag had 13 stars; there have been 27 additions between 1777 and 1960.
  11. According to the History Channel., the date was picked according to the date the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution stating that “the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white” and that “the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”
  12. According to PBS: Red symbolizes hardiness and valor; white symbolizes purity and innocence; blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice.

Flag Day (Holiday Histories)Flag Day (First Step Nonfiction – American Holidays)

While not necessarily a fact on the American flag I though it interesting that the study of flags is called vexillogy

There shouldn’t be a perfect day, or week, to fly the American flag and show patriotism in the United States. It should be a feeling of every American to show their pride in the country in which they live every day. I am proud to live in this great country of ours. We have freedom and opportunity around every corner if people would just take advantage of their own skills and talent.

The below video includes my photography of average Americans celebrating their pride and patriotism in America. The song was written by my friend Steve Raybine, a jazz musician from Omaha Nebraska.

“America, how I love you, long may our flag ever wave..”

Americans are a gracious and generous people. We are proud of our country and the ideals for which we were founded. Religious freedom, freedom of speech, freedom to bear arms, freedom to congregate, and freedom of free press. The internet and technology has given millions of people a vehicle to exercise that freedom and this is my platform.

Where to Buy American Made Flags

American Flag 3×5 ft. Nylon SolarGuard Nyl-Glo by Annin Flagmakers, 100% Made in USA with Sewn Stripes,Flag Pole Kit: Includes Tangle Free pole – Bracket and American Flag Made in USAHEAVY-DUTY American Flag 4×6′ – 100% Made in the USA – Durable, Long Lasting, Rich Polyester MaterialValley Forge Flag 3-Feet by 5-Feet Nylon Kit with 20-Foot Aluminum In-Ground Pole and Hardware

History of Flag Day

Flag Day: What it means

WASHINGTON — What’s Flag Day? It’s the American celebration of the birthday of the Stars and Stripes. On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress passed a resolution “that the flag of the thirteen United States shall be thirteen stripes of alternate …

A brief history of Flag Day

In the late 19th century, schoolteachers all over the United States began conducting patriotic ceremonies commemorating Flag Day as a way to teach children about history. One such schoolteacher, Bernard J. Cigrand, is often referred to as the “Father …

Flag Day 2015: Top 3 Historical Facts to Help You Understand Why This is a Thing

It is Flag Day 2015, folks! How excited are you?! Or, are you just discovering that it’s Flag Day because we just told you? Well, don’t worry – you’re in the same boat as so many people across this great land. Therefore, MStars News has grabbed a few …

Flag Day, commemorating the adoption of the U.S. flag …

WAUBEKA — Flag Day is celebrated on June 14th — and it commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened on June 14th, 1777. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that …

American Flag Day – Tis the Star Spangled Banner | www …

Did you ever see the Movie “Not without my Daughter”? It is based on a true story about an American woman who marries an Iranian who convinces her and their daughter to visit his family in Iran. Once there, he refuses to let …

Patriotic Video: America, I Love You

by

This patriotic video might just make you forget the recent government scandals so prevalent right now. Although it seems patriotism and confidence in the United States is waning or lacking. I don’t think it’s true. Yes, if you listen to talk radio, or watch CNN or other news channels you might be depressed and discouraged. But I tell you, there are good people all across this country doing good things, helping out neighbors, serving in the military because they love where they live.

Keep Us Safe because Freedome is Not Free
Korean War Memorial: Washington DC on Memorial Day

When American citizens are left alone, without government intervention we help each other out and stand side by side during tragedies such as the recent Oklahoma tornadoes.

In this week leading up to Memorial Day, I want to remind people the greatness of the American people outside the Washington Beltway. Memorial Day is not only a day to remember our veterans and those who died serving our country but to gather together as families worship and celebrate life, and remember those who have died and left an impact on our lives.

America I love YouMarine Corps Graduation, San Diego CA I’ve wanted to create a patriotic video that includes the many photographs I’ve taken over the years that have a military theme, or veterans theme, but didn’t have the appropriate music. This song “America, I Love You” was written by my friend Steve Raybine, a jazz musician in Omaha, Nebraska. I first heard it last fall and fell in love with it and he graciously allowed me to use it for the video.

Veterans of all our wars deserve our thanks for making the sacrifice and serving their country. This includes not only the modern wars in Afghanistan and Iraq during Operation Enduring Freedom, Desert Shield, and Storm but the often forgotten Vietnam and Korean Veterans, along with those veterans from WWII and WWI.

It is the men and women of the Marine Corps, the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, and our National Guard that spend days away from family and friends, whether abroad or stationed in the United States, that serve to protect our freedom. We owe them our thanks for volunteering for a job many would never consider.The Flag Still Stands For Freedom

As you participate in Memorial Day celebrations, parades and picnics, stop by a cemetery and read the inscriptions on the War Memorials of soldiers from the French Indian War and even the Civil War. If you are lucky enough to live in New England search out the Revolutionary War cemeteries. Those soldiers truly fought for our freedom and Independence. They are the reason we celebrate the 4th of July.

If you recognize some of the photos it’s because they are some of my favorites from my Washington DC trip when my kids marched in the Memorial Day Parade and include the World War II Memorial, United States Marine Corps Memorial, Veterans Memorial, Korean War Memorial and other images of freedom and sacrifice.

I was really quite surprised I had so many photographs of the American Flag and color guards taken at various parades. It never fails to give me a chill when the American Legion leads a parade with the flags and people stand to applaud, salute or put their hand over their heart.
My goal is to create a national sensation with this song. Patriotic pride needs to once again resonate through the land. So reblog this post, tweet it, post it to your Facebook page and PIN it on PINTEREST, let’s see how far this video and song can spread.

So post this for Memorial Day, Flag Day, 4th of July, Veterans Day and all other patriotic holidays.

Thank you and God Bless.

I Believe, in Music and In Life

by

Music has played an important part in my life and I have been blessed that my children have participated and enjoyed their scholastic music careers. My son sang at Carnegie Hall in New York City, and both he and my daughter have participated in numerous honor choirs across the state.

With each experience comes an increased appreciation for music and how it impacts their life. Each clinician and conductor teaches the students an improved breathing technique, a new warm up routine, or even how posture and carriage affects the sound and tone.

Choir Concert and Competition

My life as a choir and band Mom is ending with the close of my daughters senior year in high school. Last week was the Nebraska district music contests across the state and I made the trek down to Nebraska City to listen to the band and choir perform. I have been honored to be a part of a program where 75% of the students participate in either band, choir, or both. What other high school can make that claim? I’d challenge any school in the country.

The first song the choir sang at the District Music contest was Ani Ma’amin and although the students could say it and sing it they couldn’t spell the title.  They could tell me it was a Jewish Hebrew song sung during the Holocaust. During the warm up director Betty Colbert recited the translation before they started. What a great way to teach multiculturalism, and history.

English Translation: 

“I believe with complete faith in the coming of the Messiah, and, though he may tarry, I wait daily for his coming.”

Hebrew:

“Ani Ma’amin be’emunah shlaima bevias haMoshiach, ve’af al pi sheyismame’ach im kol zeh achake lo b’chol yom sheyavo. Ani Ma’amin.”

It is not unusual for our choir selections to be religious or in another language, but I had not heard Hebrew before and the history of this song interested me. Ani Ma’amin is a song created and sung in the horrors of a cattle car full of Jewish prisoners. In one boxcar the sound of singing could be heard and it spread throughout the whole train.

The history of this song is stirring, inspirational, a song of faith and hope. From the Chabad.org website I learned the full story and it’s worth a visit.

I am partial to the choir, only because I sang in choir in high school and was the piano accompanist for several years, but I will post  the band performance later this week.

The day was especially moving for the seniors who will be graduating in just a few weeks. Their graduating class is only 32 students and in this small community most have been together since preschool. Out of the eleven students below eight of them started in preschool together. At this point it’s almost their whole lifetime.

 Related articles

“Brother, My Brother”, a Tribute to Veterans

by

On Veterans Monday I had the opportunity to merge two of my passions, my pride for my sons in the Marine Corp and my love of music, specifically the Elmwood-Murdock choir and band. Just wanted to share a preview of the the choirs song, “Brother My Brother” before I put together the full post, which will recap both schools and the local G.A.R museum.

It’s obvious this song was written with the American Civil War in mind, but I couldn’t find any other history. If anyone can point me in the direction I’d love to add it to the post.

Lyrics “Brother, My Brother”

Brother my brother
One blue and one gray
Will meet upon a quiet field
The morn of judgement day

Brother my brother
God has heard your battle call
Now he’ll watch his precious children
Learn how to stand, learn how to fall
And his eyes will look away

For his heart will so be torn
As his fields of gold turn scarlet
From the rage of battle born
And the silence of the night
Will be broken by the cries
Of the ones who’ve been forgotten
On the quiet field where honor lies

Give me now a splendid sun
With all his light full clear
Give me now a gentle autumn
Before the dying of the year
And some green unbloodied grass
While I can still see far
Give me one night on a river
And one unfailing star

Brother my brother
One blue and one gray
Will meet upon a quiet field
The morn of judgement day

Brother my brother
God has heard your battle call
Now he’ll watch his precious children
Learn how to stand, learn how to fall

My favorite Veterans Day piece the choir sang, by far, is the one a did a few years back of the choir singing Flanders Field. Take a look you won’t regret it!