Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!dimacs.rutgers.edu!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: tblake@bingsuns.cc.binghamton.edu (Tom Blake) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Help with song Message-ID: Date: 4 Jun 91 03:49:03 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: SUNY Binghamton Lines: 57 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article , hegardt@pompe.ics.uci.edu (Mary Hegardt) writes: |>I apologize if this isn't the right forum for this request, but I |>have been wondering about this song and I thought you people might |>be able to help me. I'll be going and doing a couple of weeks doing summer camp for vacation in July. I'll probably be singing this song, (one of my favorites). The camp in order to be PC, has changed the second verse, (I forget what their new version is, I know they eliminate lilly white, they may eliminate boys.) A clergy friend once saw a long explanation of all of the verses, I'll see if I can get her to dig it out. But, here's some of the ones I remember. 1, is one and all alone, and ever more shall be it so Well, okay, that one's pretty easy. 2, 2 lilly white boys, clothe them all in green-o This as I recall refers to two saints, (Peter and Paul?) Lilly white, to show that they are pure, clothed in green to show that they still live. |> 3,3 the rivals Don't remember, seems like 3 would be a good lead in for the trinity, but to call them rivals!? (Guess not) |> 4 for Gospel makers Obvious enough. |> 5 for the symbols at your door Don't remember, (I always thought it was cymbols, seemed like fun), perhaps it refers to the marks on the doors made by the Hebrews? |> 6 for the six proud walkers Moving things in the night sky. (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter Saturn, the Moon?) |> 7 for the 7 stars in the sky Don't recall, seven bright stars I believe. |> 8 for the April rainers A constellation of 8 stars that comes above the horizon in April, April of course brings showers, (so the april rainers). |> 9 for the 9 bright shiners Similar night sky derivation as I recall. |> 10 for the 10 Commandments Obvious |> 11 for the 11 went up to heaven The twelve (minus Judas). |> 12 for the 12 Apostles Obvious Tom Blake SUNY-Binghamton