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WE REMEMBER YOU LITANY
Honoring These Women, Among Many
OLD TESTAMENT
HEAR US….WE CALL YOUR NAME!
Sarah (wife of Abraham)
Milcah (Abraham’s sister-in-law and Rebekah’s grandmother)
Keturah (2nd wife of Abraham)
Hagar (Sarah’s handmaid, and mother of Ishmael)
Rebekah (Wife of Isaac, mother of Jacob and Esau)
Rachel (Wife of Jacob and Leah’s sister) Mother of the 12 tribes of Israel
Leah (Wife of Jacob and Rachel’s sister) Mother of the 12 tribes of Israel
Dinah (Daughter of Leah and Jacob)
WE REMEMBER YOU
Zilpah (Leah’s handmaid, and mother of 2 of the tribes of Israel)
Shiphrah (midwife at the time of Moses; saved Hebrew children from slaughter)
Puah (midwife at the time of Moses; saved Hebrew children from slaughter)
Jochebed (mother of Miriam, Moses and Aaron)
Miriam (Moses’ big sister)
Zipporah (Daughter of Jethro and wife of Moses)
Rahab (Mother of Boaz, aided Joshua’s army)
Deborah (led her people to freedom in time of war – Song of Deborah in Judges 5)
WE REMEMBER YOU
Naomi (Mother-in-law to Ruth)
Ruth (Naomi’s daughter-in-law and wife of Boaz)
Hannah (Mother of Samuel – See Hannah’s Song of Triumph 1 Sam. 2:2-10)
Tamar (daughter of David and Maacah)
Abigail (wife of David and thought to be his greatest influence)
Zeruiah (Abigail’s sister)
Esther (Book of Esther)
Huldah (prophet under King Josiah’s reign)
WE REMEMBER YOU
HEAR US….WE CALL YOUR NAME!
NEW TESTAMENT
Mary of Nazareth
Elizabeth
Anna (Prophet of Jerusalem, the first to proclaim Jesus as the Christ)
Mary of Magdala
Joanna (went to the tomb with Mary of Magdala)
Susanna (ministered with Jesus along with many, including Joanna)
Mary of Bethany (anointed Christ)
Martha
WE REMEMBER YOU
Candace (ruled in Ethiopia at the time of Paul)
Dorcas (weaver of clothes for the needy of Joppa in time of Paul)
Rhoda (announced Peter’s freedom from prison)
Eunice (from Galatia, Grandmother of Timothy)
Lois (Mother of Timothy)
Lydia (Founded the church in Philippi)
Damaris (Heard Paul’s message in Athens)
Priscilla (Church assembled in her home at Ephesus)
WE REMEMBER YOU
Persis (woman in early Roman Church)
Tryphosa (leader in Roman Church
Phoebe (Deacon of Cenchrae; carried Paul’s Epistle to the Romans)
Mary of Rome
Junia
Chloe (woman of Corinth who advised Paul of
Julia
Claudia (Church of Rome, communicated with Paul)
WE REMEMBER YOU
WE REMEMBER YOU
WE REMEMBER YOU
WE REMEMBER YOU
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2. |
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Refrain:
Blessed are they, the Roses of December.
Blessed are they who walked,
walked with the poor,
and blessed are you who stand now for justice,
for the kingdom of our God is our delight.
Verse 1
Dorothy, you were an alleluia from
head to foot, they said.
You showed us how to walk the way of peace;
you carried the battered, bruised and broken hearted.
Teach us how to walk the way of peace.
Refrain
Verse 2
Jean, you left your home, your work,
to journey with the people;
they called you "Jean the playful," filled with love.
Even when your heart knew fear,
you lifted up the children.
Teach us how to walk the way of love.
Refrain
Verse 3
Maura, you told them God is present in their struggle;
you were called an "angel of our land."
You buried the slaughtered and silenced people.
Teach us the way of peace.
Refrain
Verse 4
Ita, though your heart knew pain,
your spirit was so buoyant.
"I'll walk with you," you told them all in faith.
You sheltered the captive and frightened people.
Teach us how to walk the way of love.
For the kingdom of our God is our delight.
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Christ is the Mirror, Christ is the Light.
Gaze on that Mirror and see yourself within.
All things are holy, all things are one.
Gaze on creation and see your soul within.
Always be a lover of your soul.
Always be a lover of your soul.
Here in this Sanctuary of Life,
here is the love and food for your soul.
Enter this dwelling, bring who you are.
Gaze on this table and know the source within.
We become the love that we receive.
We become the love that we receive.
Christ is the Mirror, Christ is the Light.
Gaze on that Mirror and see yourself within.
All here is sacred, all here is one.
Gaze on your neighbor and know the love within.
One with one another, one with Christ.
One with one another, one with Christ.
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4. |
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LITANY OF GUADALUPE
Laura Ash
VERSE 1
O SWEET LADY OF TEPEYAC,
SHE WHO RISES FROM THE EAST,
MYSTICAL ROSE, MOTHER OF MERCY
VESSEL OF GRACE
REFRAIN
O MARIA DE GUADALUPE,
BLESS US WITH YOUR LOVING HAND.
O MARIA DE GUADALUPE,
WRAPPED IN YOUR MANTLE, LET US STAND.
VERSE 2
HOLY MOTHER, SEAT OF WISDOM,
SHE WHO IS CLOTHÉD WITH THE SUN,
DULCE CONSUELO, REINA DEL CIELO (Trans: Sweet Consolation, Queen of Heaven)
ESTRELLA DEL MAR. (Star of the Sea)
REFRAIN
VERSE 3 –SANTA VIRGEN DE GUADALUPE
Bendita sea tu pureza y eternamente lo sea, pues todo un Dios se recrea en tan graciosa belleza. A Ti, Rosa Mystica, yo te ofrezco en este día alma, vida y corazón. Mírame con compassion; no me dejes, Madre mía, ni de noche ni de dia.
HOLY VIRGIN OF GUADALUPE;
Blessed be your pure heart and eternally so, because the fullness of God is recreated in such graceful beauty. To you, Mystical Rose, I offer you on this day - soul, life and heart. Gaze upon me with compassion; don't leave me, my mother, neither by night nor by day.
REFRAIN
VERSE 4
HOLY MARY, GATE OF HEAVEN,
MORNING STAR AND LIFE-GIVING SPIRIT
LLENA DE GRÁCIA, REINA DE PAZ (Trans: Full of Grace, Queen of Peace)
SEÑORA DEL MAR. (Lady of the Sea)
REFRAIN
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5. |
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Verse 1
Fierce as a lover, wind works the tree,
pulls out dead branches, needles, the moss.
Wind plays the tree harp, murmurs, murmurs.
Creek of wood on wood, full howls!
Refrain
Tree gives the wind a voice;
Tree gives the wind a voice.
Wind takes the tree on, sending her children into the far.
Verse 2
Wind beats on the tree;
Wind beats on the tree the breath of other places,
the breath of other places, where the tree has only one!
Refrain
Tree gives the wind a voice;
Tree gives the wind a voice.
Wind takes the tree on, sending her children into the far.
Verse 3
What joy, what faithful partnership.
What joy, what faithful partnership.
A psalm breathed, a psalm breathed,
a psalm rooted.
Refrain
Tree gives the wind a voice;
Tree gives the wind a voice.
Wind takes the tree on, sending her children into the far;
into the far, into the far!
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6. |
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Refrain
Darkness to light,
night into day.
Wellspring of wisdom,
show me the way.
Verse 1
You're the way of compassion,
the doorway of welcome,
The pathway of mercy and joy;
Though I walk into darkness,
may you bring me to daylight.
Show me the way.
Refrain
Verse 2
You are the river of justice,
abundance and plenty,
the cup full of wisdom and peace.
When my vessel is empty,
let your spring rise within me.
Show me the way.
Refrain
Verse 3
You are the garden of virtues,
the mansion of gladness,
the sun and the moon in the sky.
When I wander away from
the family of heaven,
Show me the way.
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7. |
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Refrain
What does love require?
What can we do together
that we cannot do alone?
Come and take my hand
Come and walk with me,
the union of our hearts
will make us strong.
Verse 1
Too many people live in the grip of fear.
Too many broken lives are lost along the way.
Only with hearts open can we begin to feel
the call of love for a new day.
Verse 2
Violence and anger and hurt,
how do these live within us.
But the wisdom, the vision, the hope,
they are stronger still.
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8. |
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Refrain
We are bringing God to birth, bringing love to earth.
We are bringing God to birth, bringing love to earth.
Verse 1
Once you called a woman dear, called her out beyond her fear.
Now you call me, who am I, to bring your love to earth and sky?
Verse 2
I'm the vessel, you the seed; plant your love for all in need.
Prepare this place for love to bloom, this my body, this my womb.
Verse 3
Now your Spirit grows within, melting darkness, washing sin,
Be the one whose love reveals, comforts, strengthens, holds and heals.
Verse 4
Move me here where I am cold. Make me strong and make me bold
for the work I'm meant to do, birthing Spirit ever new.
Verse 5
When the time for birth is near: pushing, pressing, blood and tears;
gentle maid of Nazareth, give me courage, give me breath.
Verse 6
Holding Christ now in my hands, threat of war throughout the lands, with these hands I offer peace to the greatest and the least.
Verse 7
Mary, Mother, laughing yes, with your strength and tenderness,
Let my "yes" be joined with yours - healing spirits, opening doors.
Verse 8
Christ the Child, newborn king, Christ the presence now we bring
through our lives and through our song; this the home where love belongs.
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9. |
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Refrain
We must bring about a revolution of the heart.
We must feed not just the body but the soul.
For the Gospel takes away our right to stand apart;
we must stand with all the poor and be made whole.
Verse 1
One brick at a time:
a pebble in a pond
causes ripples spreading everywhere from you.
One step at a time:
for each one of our deeds
spreads just like that. There is too much work to do.
Refrain
Verse 2
To love everyone,
our enemy and friend:
in an ever wid'ning circle 'round the earth;
to help everyone
to feed and clothe themselves,
for the poor and destitute all have their worth.
Refrain
Verse 3
And so, we must fight
and cry out for the rights
and the dignity of workers we employ.
For true love is full
of beauty and of grace,
understanding and perception; full of joy.
Refrain
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10. |
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Miriam’s Canticle
I am Miriam! Miriam of the Dance!
Now Moses, the deliverer of God’s people, is my brother.
My. Little. Brother.
After the Lord spoke to Moses from the burning bush,
And Moses demanded Pharoah set our people free,
And the Lord sent plague after plague upon Egypt
And Pharoah told us to take our flocks and be gone,
And after we were led through the wilderness
And Moses parted the Sea of Reeds for us to walk through,
And Pharoah sent his chariots to capture us
And The Lord clogged their chariot wheels
And after Moses stretched out his hand over the sea
to bring wave after wave upon our captors …
we were set free!
And all of Israel feared the Lord and believed in the Lord
(and they even believed in my brother Moses),
Then, finally, I, the prophet Miriam,
took a tambourine in my hand,
And all the women came out after me with tambourines and with dancing,
And all God’s people sang this song to the Lord:
(Exodus 14:15-3 1; 15:20)
Refrain:
Let us sing to the Lord, to the Lord
who has brought us through the sea!
Let us sing to the Lord, to the Lord
who is covered in glory!
Repeat
Verse 1
I sing of the Lord, great and triumphant;
Horse and rider are cast into the sea!
The Lord is my strength, the Lord who saves me.
This is the God I will praise, the God of my ancestors.
Verse 2
True to the name, Lord,
Our God leads in battle.
See the best of their warriors
Hurled into the sea of reeds.
Verse 3
See how Pharaoh’s chariots and his charioteers
Sink like rocks to the bottom of the sea.
They lie covered by the deep.
Your right hand, O Lord,
is majesty and power,
your raised right arm, O Lord,
scatters the enemy!
Verse 4
You brought and planted us, O Lord
On the mountain that you chose
Where you make your dwelling place
The temple you built by hand.
The Lord rules forever and ever!
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12. |
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REFRAIN
Looking through the eyes of God,
you will see great worth;
Looking through the eyes of love,
you may heal a broken heart.
Kamino megumi de,
kono yoh wo minuku;
Ai no megumi de,
kokoro wo iyasu.
Verse 1
Be a sanctuary for the lost,
those who seek, those in sorrow;
Listen to their stories and their pain,
you will know the face of God.
Verse 2
In the midst of sorrow be a light in the dark,
in the suffering;
welcome all who seek a better home,
you will make a home for God.
Bridge
And with all your heart be joyful,
you will show the love of God.
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13. |
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There's a seed that rests in the earth,
it's a song of hope and future.
In its time it springs forth,
sending shoots up through the soil;
Bless the seed for all that it will be.
There are roots that stand in the ground,
holding fast to make a foundation.
They are life blood and strength,
sending hope up through the soil;
Bless the roots for all they will do.
There are leaves that capture the sun,
They are shade, a home and a shelter.
They are bearers of food,
sending future seeds to earth;
Bless the leaves for soft refreshing breeze.
There's a tree that stands in the land,
it is breath for all of creation.
It is home, it is hope, for it makes community.
Bless the tree for standing tall and free.
Have you heard the song of the tree?
It's a song of peace and justice.
As the wind sends it on so that the world can hear,
bless the song for ringing loud and strong.
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14. |
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REFRAIN
I know a new and kinder day will come;
it will come, whether far away or near.
I must live it now,
I must be that love as though it were already here.
Verse 1
If you dwell deep within your heart,
no prison fence can hold you.
No new terror nor hatred can trouble you.
You will know the beauty of life.
Verse 2
Do not let yourself be burdened by the bad;
do not cling to sorrows.
You are there in the stillness of your heart;
you are part of the stream of life.
Verse 3
Reclaim the peace that lies within your heart,
when the whirlwind fills your days.
Listen to the chaos inside of you
and find a slice of forever.
Bridge
All is one, the living and the dying.
Grasp it, and learn to pass it on
so that someone can carry the knowledge on,
as we live that new age in our hearts.
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So often in history, women have been unnamed, relegated to one-line mention, or left out entirely. Spurred by this awareness, I have long held the dream of writing a collection of songs to uplift the voices of women throughout the centuries. Finally, a handful of spirit-filled women have spoken, whispered, cried, shouted and laughed their songs to life in me! Being accompanied by such amazing women during the creation of this project has stirred my soul, and I have learned so much from their friendship. When women are re-membered, we ALL are stronger. I thank you, soulful sisters, for being my guide and inspiration.
I want to express my deep gratitude for my home parish of St. Patrick Church (Seattle) that has so faithfully upheld the voices of women in ministry and has truly helped me find my own voice. As our parish now closes, I dedicate this album to our community, and celebrate the loving and amazing musicians of the St. Patrick choir who have nourished my voice through the decades, and now bring these songs to life!
-Laura Ash
