Friday, December 3, 2010

Let There Be Peace On Earth

In the last three days I've seen Celtic Thunder mentioned four times. Twice channel surfing: PBS is airing the Christmas concert. Then February Grace at Pitch Slapped posted a link on Facebook. And now I've received an email from a friend with a different video.

I ascribe to the theory that, while life might be random, there are no coincidences. My second novel has roots in ancient Celtic tradition. And four mentions in three days bears paying attention.

I listened to the song Bru posted and found it lilting, lyrical and haunting. Then I clicked over and sat, tears streaming, listening to the song that had been forwarded.

You've probably heard it before. Here it is again. Celtic Thunder performing an old classic, "Christmas 1915".

Celtic Thunder - "Christmas 1915"

As this song intimates, I believe that people don't make war, governments do. Religions do. Greed does. Call me naive. Or stupid. But don't try to change my mind. I have friends from Iraq, Iran, Afganistan, Turkey, Germany, Russia, China, Korea and Vietnam. They have hearts. They bleed. They cry. They have families. And they want peace, just like you and I.

Reach out. Love someone. Forgive someone. Let go of ill will.

For another bit of musical delight, check out Gladys Knight performing "Let There Be Peace On Earth".

Let there be peace on earth. And let it begin with me.

'Tis the Season ~ Olivia J. Herrell

15 comments:

Karen Jones Gowen said...

Isn't it weird how you can not hear something then it shows up numerous times from different sources. Which always makes one wonder if this means something?

Anonymous said...

there's somthing about Celtic music and Christmas that go perfect together :D

Thanks for sharing!

Raquel Byrnes said...

So beautiful..and, yes, there MUST be a reason you're seeing this everywhere...confirmation maybe?
Edge of Your Seat Romance

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

How strange you wrote about this song. Last night I went to a concert and the singer sang this very song, most moving and emotional,

Yvonne.

Jamie Gibbs said...

Celtic traditions you say? I'm intrigued. My fantasy WIP is loosely based on Celtic religion and mythology. Thanks for the video too, that's a damn good tune.

Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barré said...

Karen, invariably I find that it does mean something. Typically this happens over a much longer period of time. But usually by the third prod I pay attention. When it's four times in three days, I take that as a big sign to go in the direction to which I'm being pointed.

Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting!

Erica, I seem to be way behind the curve. Other than Loreena McKinnett, I've never actually listened to Celtic music. But, yes, I think you're right.

Raquel, confirmation indeed. I like that!

Yvonne, don't you just love synchronicity? On two different sides of the pond no less. :)

vegaia, you're right of course. It makes no sense at all...

Jamie, my WIP is a fantasy, too. Southern fantasy. But its roots are as yours. We should compare notes one day. :)

~Olivia

The Words Crafter said...

I love Celtic music! How cool it keeps finding you and you're writing about it!

Kimber Leszczuk. said...

I love Celtic music. That is a neat coincidence! I am stopping by from a bloghop you were on. :)

February Grace said...

Olivia, CT's music has helped me through a lot of bad stuff this year- that's why going to see them live (and getting to meet a few of them before the show thanks to PBS) meant so much to me and my family. I have to tell you- if you ever get the chance, GO SEE THEM. When the six of them sang on the edge of that stage (Neil, the lead guitarist, is now an additional soloist with the original 5, though Paul is leaving soon to pursue his solo career...) and sang Amazing Grace without any accompaniment, I don't think there was a dry eye in the house. They gave a stellar, flawless performance.

Peace on Earth is the theme of two songs that I think of a lot this time of year by other artists too- one is Better Days by the Goo Goo Dolls and was actually a song John Rzeznik wrote when asked for a song contribution about the holidays for a project and he didn't feel like writing one much after Hurricane Katrina.

The other song is one that is pretty much my favorite song ever, any time of year- The Night Sky (for WARCHILD) by Keane. I would bet that the lyrics will touch you.

Christmas 1915 always gets to me...

big hugs and thank you for this touching post.

~bru

PS be sure to check out the videos for The Island and Heartland on youTube too- the second one is my favorite Celtic Thunder song ever but it's really hard to go wrong with these guys.

RaShelle Workman said...

Olivia - I completely agree - you're hearing that music for a reason. Enjoy. =D

Terry Stonecrop said...

What lovely thoughts.

I agree on the wars.

Thanks for sharing the pretty Celtic music as well. Peace:)

Kathi Oram Peterson said...

Your novel sounds wonderful. I love reading about the ancient Celtic period. :)

Elliot Grace said...

...the sounds of the Celtic have a way of setting a mood, or even shifting it for that matter...it's enchanting:)
EL

Shannon said...

It's interesting the meaningful coincidences you come across once you open your eyes.

Dempsey Sanders said...

what a really lovely post here, I am a fan of celtic music too, and this is a classic.

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