“Wasn’t that a time, wasn’t that a time.
A time to try the souls of men.
Wasn’t that a terrible time!”
So goes the chorus of a popular folk song written by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays of The Weavers back in the 1950’s. The song has since passed into legend, earning its place in the history of music. It calls up various conflicts in our nation, from Valley Forge to Gettysburg, reminding us that peace and consensus are fragile things not to be taken for granted.
Today we live in an increasingly troubled world. The circumstances of which both breaks the heart and grieves the soul. And just when you think things can’t get any worse – they do, much to our astonishment and continuing dismay. The road we are on right now is not an encouraging one, and where it is taking us is very disconcerting. How much of what we see happening today is irreparable? Can we come back from this and restore, to some degree, the harm and injury that is being done?
“The wars are long – the peace is frail.
The madmen come again.
There is no freedom in our land,
Where fear and hate prevail!”
How ironic that a song written decades ago to express past events and happenings, can so well describe what we see and feel today. On the one hand it is comforting to know that having survived it once, we can do so again. On the other hand, there is consternation at having to live through it all once more.
Do people never learn? Some would say that in this present time the stakes are higher; with weapons of mass destruction at hand and social media spewing out disinformation and downright lies 24/7. All bluster and hype with no substance or fact. Sowing dissent and fear. Where did that ever get anyone’s cause?
For history has shown us time and again how cyclical life is. Current events, on either extreme, eventually crash and burn themselves out. Nature abhors a vacuum and dictates a middle ground be achieved for balance. Those currently in power caught up in glee over their dominion and control, invariably and unwarily plant the seeds of their own destruction. But meanwhile there is much damage taking place on so many different fronts.
In 1980, Lee Hays added an additional verse to the song:
“How many times we’ve gone to kill,
In freedom’s holy name.
And children died to save the pride
Of rulers without shame.”
The words are disturbing, for they evoke strong emotion. Something which neither side has a monopoly on. And here we are, caught up in the slipstream of extreme and conflicting ideologies yet again. Unsure of which end is up. It’s like Alice falling down that rabbit hole into Wonderland; confusing, with no rhyme or reason. Inconsistency the only law recognized.
But you know what? In spite of all the uncertainty and distress these days are filled with, there are some constants we can rely upon and count on. The sun will still rise tomorrow. And the stars shine bright in the evening of the heavens. Leaves will turn, displaying a glorious panorama of colour come Fall… and snowflakes continue to dance in a cold, crisp wind. Spring, with its promise of new life, will still burst forth into bloom filling our hearts with hope.
For there is a Higher Authority in charge who rules this world, over and above two-bit petty politicians. One who laid the foundations of the earth, while the morning stars sang together, and the angels shouted for joy. Who has journeyed to the springs of the sea, and given order to the morning; showing the dawn its place.
Watering the deserts and making the grasses to sprout amongst the wasteland. Bounding the beautiful Pleiades, and bringing forth the constellations in their seasons. (Job 38)
Tell me, who has the true power here.
The song continues…
“Our faith cries out we have no fear.
We dare to reach our hand
To other neighbors far and near,
To friends in every land.”
It’s a given that good times don’t last forever. Well neither do the bad or difficult times, though this may feel otherwise right now. The cycles of nature are constantly turning, for life is dynamic and perpetually in motion. Or as some folks say, what goes around comes around. Our mission is to cultivate patience and wait it out, do what we can to mitigate the harm… and believe firmly that a better day will come. It always does. Maybe not as soon as we’d like, but sooner than we think. And faith will be the bulwark that will get us through. Fueling the strength needed to carry us past these dark days, to a place in time where the sun will shine bright once again.
For as Helen Keller pointed out,
“Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light.
In the meantime…
“The peace of God be to you,
The peace of Christ be to you,
The peace of Spirit be to you.”
(Celtic blessing)
A link to Peter, Paul, and Mary
singing a version of this stirring song…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waAVfCJ59Lk
4 thoughts on “Isn’t this a Time!”
And also with you, Bev.
I feel more peaceful having read and absorbed your words.
Thank you for this. ❤️
I appreciate the feedback. This is what I was aiming for and it’s good to know the message got across!! As the author I have achieved my goal and that is so very satisfying. Thank you.
Thank you and may God’s Blessings be with you and your family.
Yes, your statement, The circumstances that we are living through now breaks the heart and grieves the soul,
yes it is terrible times. Yes, we have to have faith!
And faith takes work… Lord knows these times are giving us plenty of practice!! Be well Anna Jean – sending love!!