15. The Caterpillar Easter Song
Listen here: https://www.soundclick.com/music/songInfo.cfm?songID=13770776
Happiest of Easter’s and springtime joys to all!
A brief reflection on the Christian Easter message using the image of a caterpillar transforming intro a butterfly. I wrote this with an Easter service with kids’ participation in mind.
I envisaged a small group of kids wriggling around in caterpillar costumes, then rising with bright butterfly wings and running up and down the aisles.
Sadly, it’s never happened…. yet! I know there are some folks in congregations I’ve served who really would frown on the idea of children running up and down aisles. And they wonder why their congregation is not thriving? Some among the frozen chosen just need to thaw.
The arrangement is deliberately simplistic. I’m not trying to get airplay or create a hit here. But it could easily be played on piano, the musical breaks extended to allow for movement, and sung by a small children’s choir. If any were looking for a brief Easter interlude in their celebratory services, I can help!
I confess that I have tried to compose more relevant and ‘adult’ Easter songs, but the existing selection of hymns is rather intimidating. How does one come up with the kinds of words Wesley could produce or tunes of the caliber of Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy?”
If you are looking for something in that tradition try this: https://youtu.be/oPIXJuyGXgA
Enjoy the coming of Spring and the promise of new life in whatever way brings you joy. For myself the message of resurrection is a powerfully transformative one, no matter how it is interpreted.
And having been around theology for way too long… there really are many ways of looking at the biblical accounts!
Maybe it is better to stick with simple allegorical motifs… such as butterflies.
The Caterpillar Easter Song
© Adrian J Pratt 1990
Caterpillar crawling creeping pest
Creature chewing cabbages
That could have been my best
Miserable creature, pointless little life
Caterpillar crawling creeping blight.
Caterpillar cocooned in chrysalis tomb
Creature encased
In a cold brittle womb
Miserable creature, pointless little life,
Caterpillar cocooned in chrysalis tomb.
Butterfly bright, Wings unfurled
Rises from the cocoon,
Flies free in the world
Miracle creature, renewed, reborn,
Like resurrection hope on the first Easter morn.
Butterfly bright, Wings unfurled
Rises from the cocoon,
Flies free in the world
Miracle creature, renewed, reborn,
Like resurrection hope on the first Easter morn.