About Ancient Ghosts and Green Heart Songs

Ancient Ghosts and Green Heart Songs is a personal anthology of poems, songs, hymns, and music begun around 1995 as a kind of journal. The theme is very simple--celebration of my family, my grandparents and parents, my brothers, my husband and daughter, and an expression of gratitude to God for them, and for my Christian Faith and Irish heritage. Some are deeply sad while others are joyful. Some are prayers and others laments, or even protest against abuse. They are all born of love, of pain, of grief, and of profound Faith. The anthology will be complete when I return home...

Ancient Ghosts...some songs

...

Friday, March 28, 2014

"Ancient Ghosts"

Many years ago I prayed.  I asked my grandparents and ancestors to pray for me... to pray I could express what was in my heart, all that they had passed to me.  Suddenly, while still praying I began to sing this song.  The words and music just came and I had to jump from my chair to write them down and record the melody--before it escaped me.  Since that day the music has just flowed naturally.  I am very grateful.

I am encouraged by those all around me, those...

"Ancient Ghosts"

 Ancient ghosts who haunt my heart
 are with me night and day.
 We're never very far apart
I know their every way.
·          
 We're tied by bonds of flesh and blood
  'tho their flesh can't bee seen.
 They lie beneath the earth and mud
 'tho ancient king or queen.
·          
 The haunting that has taken place
  began within the womb.
 While I was in that sacred space,
 they called from grave and tomb:
·          
·          
"You are our seed and while you live
 not one of us shall die.
 With all the love you have to give
 you'll know the bonds that tie.
·          
For you are of the bardic race
 and song shall fill your soul,
 and God will shine upon your face
your music will console.
·          
 For ancient memories are in you
that others can't recall
 and Irish hearts you shall renew
 as once in Tara's hall.
·          
And as your heart is red with blood
 that races through your veins
 that heart is green and knows a flood
of passions, joys and pains.
·          
 Our people who have lived and died
 for ages until now
 have passed to you their shame and pride
 be humble then, and bow.
·          
 Rekindle in the Irish heart
at home or in exile
 that flame of love that had its start
 in ancient Erin's isle.

c. Cait Finnegan 


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