Hari OM
Sounds-day is for listening/viewing a variety of devotional items from and for all ages and traditions.
Having related the tale of St Cecilia yesterday, here is a hymn - the music written in her honour, by British composer, Herbert Howells and using a poem by W.H. Auden.
"In a garden shady this holy lady
Like a black swan as death came on
Poured forth her song in perfect calm:
And by ocean's margin this innocent virgin
Constructed an organ to enlarge her prayer,
And notes tremendous from her great engine
Thundered out on the Roman air.
Blonde Aphrodite rose up excited,
Moved to delight by the melody,
White as an orchid she rode quite naked
In an oyster shell on top of the sea;
At sounds so entrancing the angels dancing
Came out of their trance into time again,
And around the wicked in Hell's abysses
The huge flame flickered and eased their pain.
Blessed Cecilia, appear in visions
To all musicians, appear and inspire:
Translated Daughter, come down and startle
Composing mortals with immortal fire."