Easter Joy

Here at St John's Abbey, Minnesota, where i have been so privileged to experience the rich worship life of the monks: gregorian chant, incense, the pascal fire. For these Benedictines, care of creation is a strong thread in their common life.
And now, this Easter Day, the green blade rises, and the song of the turtle (or at least the spring peepers) is heard in the land. At today's Morning Prayer, we heard the Canticle of the 3 Young Men, a song of praise and thanksgiving for all creation. With the rhythm of the chant in my bones, i have begun work on a Canadian version. Here's my first run at it - hope it speaks to you of the goodness of creation on this day of celebration.

Canadian Canticle for Easter Sunday

Take joy in your being, all creatures of the earth!

Take joy in your being, all creatures of the air!

Take joy in your being, all creatures of the waters!



I take joy in my being,

sing joy and thanks to my Maker. (Refrain)



Small flitting birds, you chickadees, you nuthatches,

you croaking frogs, you croaking raven,

you eagles and hawks, soaring and seeing. (R)



You earth-bound creatures, you mice, you hares,

you lumbering bear, you most timid deer,

you porcupine, you who have no enemies. (R)



You white and arctic creatures,

polar bear and arctic fox,

you wild wolf and sly coyote,

throw back your heads and sing. (R)



You mother moose with her twins,

circling bison who shelter your young,

you caribou cov’ring the tundra. (R)



You painted turtle shyly showing your beauty,

you monarch on milkweed drying your wings,

you dragonfly defying gravity,

you mosquito who finds us, always. (R)



You garter snake, skink and skunk,

you bees busy about honey,

you beavers building with branches,

Loon, with your haunting cry. (R)



You mirrored lake and thund’ring falls,

you rapids and still waters,

you northern pike and rainbow trout,

you spiders that walk on the water. (R)



You crocus and apple blossom,

your sweetness incensing the air,

you maple trees with sweet sap rising,

sweet and wild as the Word. (R)



You northern lights and hoar frost,

you icicle that hangs by the wall,

you bursting buds of promise,

you leaves of scarlet and gold. (R)



You of our founding nations,

First Peoples of this land,

you who have come from across the sea,

sisters and brothers to me.



Take joy in your being, all creatures of the earth!

Take joy in your being, all creatures of the air!

Take joy in your being, all creatures of the waters!



I take joy in my being,

sing joy and thanks to my Maker.



(C) barb m. janes,

Inspired by the Benedictine monks’ worship at St John’s Abbey, Easter, 2010,

and inspired by all creation.