Saturday, June 28, 2014

Athos Remembered

Jeffry Hendrix
“'Well done, good and faithful servant' and possibly 'dad', no greater, or more sincere, words could be spoken of Athos. May we all follow his beautiful example and be Jesus for everyone we meet."
3 years ago, D'artagnan (Michael McCleary) posted these words on our shared blog, The Four Mass'keteers.  

Dawn Eden posted this excellent tribute to Jeff: Requiescat in pace: Jeffry Hendrix, 1954-2011.

A lover of beauty, teacher, prayer partner, fellow Girardian, mentor, blog partner, friend and spiritual companion, these things and more were and still are what Jeff means to me. Just a couple months prior to his passing he posted a quote from one of his favorite people, Ronald Knox and I share it here:
... God made heaven as well as earth, and not only earth, but heaven, is ours, is meant for us to enjoy. Even now, the protection of the holy angels and the prayers of our Blessed Lady and all the saints are available to us, because we are his children.
How much more thrilling it will be when one day... in heaven, the end for which we were really created, the existence which really satisfies the longings of our nature! Only then will the Artist put the finishing touches to his works; only then shall we be able to admire the grand scale of it, the perfect symmetry of it. The curtain will be drawn aside, and the Author of all that exists will stand there to take our applause.
This little memorial to Jeff wouldn't be complete without highlighting a few of his music videos. Music should be a form of prayer as Jeff quoted Pope Benedict XVI: 
"(G)reat music, gives the spirit repose, awakens profound sentiments and almost naturally invites us to lift up our mind and heart to God in every situation, whether joyous or sad, of human existence. Music can become prayer." Benedict XVI
Enjoy 12 music video postings from Athos!

1) Athos: Not saying it is this easy, but the Jive Aces depict theological hope in a nice Walker Percy Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 kind of way:

The Jive Aces present: Bring Me Sunshine



2) Porthos commented that Athos had an epiphany when he heard this piece as a kid.

Rimsky-Korsakov - Scheherazade (1/5)


3) Athos: 

Chapelle Royale de Versailles, playing Marc Antoine CHARPENTIER, Te Deum, Conductor Martin Gester, Le Parlement de Musique


4) Athos:

Mes Aïeux - Dégénération (English Subtitles)


5) Athos: Lest we forget that above the gloom and present darkness the stars shine and angels sing forever our Lord and Savior's praise.

O Magnum Mysterium - Morten Lauridsen, sung by Pegasus


6) Athos: Silly Wizards was a Scottish band I was blessed to see live in tidewater Virginia in a small setting. Johnny Cunningham, the fiddler, was stellar - skilled, relaxed regardless of the speed of tempo, a wild-spirit sporting brilliant red boots. Johnny died at the age of 46 in 2003. Below gives just a glimpse and flavor of the brilliance of Silly Wizards.

Silly Wizard Live - Donald McGillavry


7) Athos: I wonder what they meant. One of the Mass'keteers' favorite Jewish prophets, Leonard Cohen.

Leonard Cohen - The Future [Official Music Video]


8) Athos: R. R. Reno (We Need Roots) nails it for this neo-Distributist (not to be confused with a Redistributist like Big O):
G.K. Chesterton was a sucker for romantic gestures. Lines of soldiers with swords crossed, flags rippling in the wind, cathedral bells tolling: These sorts of scenes moved him, as did visions of lovers pledging themselves to each other in the dusky darkness of a summer evening, monks prostrate on cold, stone, chapel floors as they take their vows, and the quiet, invincible resolution of solitary soldiers who face impossible odds. Life is better—richer, deeper, thicker—for our loyalties and loves.
I share this Chestertonian sensibility, which is why the new music from the English folk band, Show of Hands, gives me goose bumps.
Listen to the band’s bitter lament, “Country Life.” The accompanying video on YouTube features harsh black and white images that match the cutting lyrics.
Show of Hands - Country Life

9) Athos: Bryn Terfel sings the Welsh lullaby, Suo-Gan

Bryn Terfel - suo-gan



Joshua Bell playing The Girl with the Flaxen Hair by Debussy.


11) Athos: First posted 10/26/07 - In the mood againd. Cheers

Yann Tiersen-live aux eurock rue de cascades


12) Athos: 
As I said, I'm fair touched by the realities embedded in talk of dragons. So it was a treat to chance upon this rendition of the ballad, Sir Eglamore, sung by Kate Rusby:

Oh, and one bonus video:

13) Athos: God's House Band
LYRICS
The shackles are undone
The bullets quit the gun
The heat that's in the sun
Will keep us when there's none
The rule has been disproved
The stone it has been moved
The grave is now a groove
All debts are removed

Oh can't you see what love has done?
Oh can't you see what love has done?
Oh can't you see what love has done?
What it's done to me?

Love makes strange enemies
Makes love where love may please
The soul and its striptease
Hate brought to its knees
The sky over our head
We can reach it from our bed
You let me in your heart
And out of my head, head

Oh can't you see what love has done?
Oh can't you see what love has done?
Oh can't you see what love has done?
What it's done to me?

Oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh
Please don't ever let me out of you

I've got no shame, oh no, oh no

Oh can't you see what love has done?
Oh can't you see?
Oh can't you see what love has done?
What it's doing to me?

I know I hurt you and I made you cry
Did everything but murder you and I
But love left a window in the skies
And to love I rhapsodize
To every broken heart
For every heart that cries
Love left a window in the skies
And to love I rhapsodize

Dear Athos, please continue to watch over us who are still on the journey home.