House Blessing

(c) 2000 Gordon Bok
traditional Yupanqui

        I’ve always enjoyed it when someone coming through the door would say “Bless this house.” I’ve heard it in a few languages; and it mattered not whom they were asking to do the job. I knew it wouldn’t be wasted on me. So here’s my version, adjusted fo rlocal conditions. The Quasis recorded two songs at my stepmother Stormy’s house one evening, and as we were getting ready to leave, one of us suggested we sing this song to thank her. We did, and Hamilton Hall wisely turned the recorder back on and captured it.
*those little, round, decorative indentations you see around certain nailheads.

Love, come bless this happy house
And all who scramble round within:
Bless the footprints on the wall
And may the chimney never lean.

Bless the night with song and laughter,
Silence bless the morning after.
Glory pour from sump and rafter,
Hammer-blossom*, joist and beam!

Sung by The QuasiModal Chorus:
Beth Alma
Mary Bok
Mary Anne Brown
Will Brown
Anne Dodson
Jamie Huntsburger
Cindy Kallet
Molly Lebel
Ellen Libby
Loie Lyman
Carney McRae
Bob Richardson
Carol Rohl
Susan Shaw
Ivan Stancioff
Matthew Szostak
Holly Torsey
Lynn Travis


From Windcalling