DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL

Although the expression would not come into being till the 16th century, I cannot help but think of the garden of Gethsemane as Christ's "Dark night of the soul," - his moment of deep spiritual anguish.

Upon a darkened night

the flame of love was burning in my breast

And by a lantern bright

I fled my house while all in quiet rest
Shrouded by the night

and by the secret stair I quickly fled

The veil concealed my eyes

while all within lay quiet as the dead

Oh night thou was my guide

oh night more loving than the rising sun

Oh night that joined the lover

to the beloved one

transforming each of them into the other

Upon that misty night

in secrecy, beyond such mortal sight

Without a guide or light

than that which burned so deeply in my heart

That fire t'was led me on

and shone more bright than of the midday sun

To where he waited still

it was a place where no one else could come

Within my pounding heart

which kept itself entirely for him

He fell into his sleep

beneath the cedars all my love I gave

And by the fortress walls

the wind would brush his hair against his brow

And with its smoothest hand

caressed my every sense it would allow

I lost myself to him

and laid my face upon my lovers breast

And care and grief grew dim

as in the mornings mist became the light

There they dimmed amongst the lilies fair

There they dimmed amongst the lilies fair

There they dimmed amongst the lilies fair

Lyric St John of the Cross

Youtube link Loreena McKennitt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcVaEA0009Q