Elaine and Francis: How to Order The Poems

HOW TO ORDER BOOK and/or CD:

Though available from Amazon, I would encourage you to get copies from local bookstores, or from me, or from my publisher David Gawlik. The reason is this: Amazon gets a bigger cut than the author and local bookstores.

To Order from Me - either a book or a CD – enclose a check made out to Elaine G. McGillicuddy Book Account for $14.95 + $3.99 for shipping and handling S&H and mail it to:

Elaine G. McGillicuddy

62 Avalon Road

Portland, ME 04103

If you order both book and CD, the cost is $25. or $20. (limited income).

And for both - the S&H cost is $4.35.

However, if these prices are rather steep for you, I would be happy to accept what you can afford – but make such a request only to me, not to David

To Order from David: (He’s not selling the CD) - just make out a check to Caritas Communications for $14.95 plus $3.99 for S/H and mail it to:

David Gawlik

Caritas Communications

26 North Green Bay Road, Suite 208

Thiensville, WI 53092

Psalm 139 Psaume 139

Psalm 139 Psaume 139

Elaine McGillicuddy's literal English translation of the French translation in La Bible de Jerusalem *

Adonai** you probe me and know me. Yahve tu me sondes et me connais;

Whether I rise or sit, you know it. que je me leve ou m'assoie, tu le sais,

You penetrate my thoughts from afar tu perces de loin mes penses;

Whether I walk or lie down, you sense it. que je marche ou me couche, tu le sens,

My paths are all familiar to you. mes chemins te sont tous familiers.

The word is not even yet on my tongue, La parole n'est pas encore sur ma langue,

and look, you know it in its entirety! et voici, Yahve, tu la sais toute entiere;

Behind and before me, you encompass me derriere et devant tu m'enserres,

You have put your hand on me. tu as mis sur moi ta main.

Marvel of learning which surpasses me! Merveille de science qui me depasse,

Height which I cannot reach! hauteur ou je ne puis atteindre.

Where could I go far from your spirit? Ou irai-je loin de ton esprit?

Where could I flee far from your face? ou fuirai-je loin de ta face?

If I climb the heavens, you are there! Si j'escalade les cieux, tu es la,

Of if I lie in Sheol, -- there you are! qu'au sheol je me couche, te voici.

I take the wings of sunrise Je prends les ailes de l'aurore,

I take lodging at the farthest end of the sea je me loge au plus loin de la mer,

Even there your hand guides me meme la, ta main me conduit,

your right hand seizes me ta droite me saisit.

I will say, -- 'Let darkness hem me in. Je dirai: "Que me presse la tenebre,

Let night be for me an enclosure." que la nuit soit pour moi une ceinture";

Even darkenss is not darkness before you. meme la tenebre n'est point tenebre devant toi

It's you who moulded my inmost being, C'est toi qui m'as forme les reins,

who wove me in my mother's womb. qui m'as tise au ventre de ma mere;

I give you thanks for so many marvels, je te rends grace pour tant de prodiges:

the wonder which I am, merveille que je suis, merveille que tes oeuvres.

the wonder of your works.

My soul, you knew it well. Mon ame, tu la connaissais bien,

My bones were not hidden from you mes os n'etaient point caches de toi,

when I was formed in secret, quand je fus faconne dans le secret,

mbroidered in the profundity of the earth. brode au profond de la terre.

My embryo, your eyes saw it. Mon embryon, tes yeux le voyaient;

In your book they are all inscribed, sur ton livre, ils sont tous inscrits

-- the days which have been determined, les jours qui ont ete fixes,

and each one of them matters. et chacun d'eux y figure.

But for me, how difficult your thoughts! Mais pour moi, que tes pensees sont difficiles,

I count them. They exceed the sand. Je les compte, il en est plus que sable;

Should I finish, I am still with you. ai-je fini, je suis encore avec toi.

Last three verses omitted.

* Unfortunately our computer does not have diacritical marks as French would require.

** Like the The Inclusive Psalms, Priests for Equality, Brentwood, Maryland, 1997 I'm using Adonai instead of "Yahve."

The Inclusive Psalm translation is also excellent.

ARAMAIC Peshitta Text of the LORD’S PRAYER Matthew 6:9-13

In phonetics, in Aramaic and in English
1. AH BWOON DE BA SH M A YA
Abwoon d'bashmaya
O Breathing Life of all

2. NET KA DASH SH M OCK
Nethquadash shmakh
Holy be your name.

3. TEE TAY MAL KU TAH
Teete malkutakh
Come your kingdom.

4. NEH WAY TIEV YA NAH AYE KA NA DE BASH MA YA AF B AR HA
Nehvwey Tzevyanakh aykanna d'bashmaya aph b'arha
Let your desire be as in the universe, so also on earth.

5. HAV LAN LACH MA DAY SOON KE NAN YEOW MA NA
Havan lachma d'sunqanan yaomana
Give us bread for our needs from day to day.

6. OOAHSH BOO KLAN HA OO B VAINE WAK TA HAINE
AYE KA NA DUFF HUH NAN SHVO KAN L HI YA BAINE (above)
Washbwoqlan haubvayn wakhtahayn aykana daph hnan shbvoqan l'hayyabayn
Loosen the cords of mistakes binding us as we release the strands we hold of others' faults.

7. WAY LA TACH LAN LAY NES YUNA AYE LA PAT ZAN MIN BEE SHA
Wela tahlan l'nesyuna Ela patzan min bisha
Don't let us enter forgetfulness, but give us liberty from unripeness

8. MA TOOL D LUCK AYE MAL KU TAH WA HAY LA WA TESH BUCH TAH
Metul dilakhie malkutha wahayla wateshbukhta
For yours is the kindom, the life-force and the glory,

9. LA H LAM AL MEAN AH MAINE
L'ahlam almin ameyn
From all ages throughout all ages, amen.

From Prayers of the Cosmos by Dr. Neil Douglas-Klotz and
Setting a Trap for God, The Aramaic Prayer of Jesus by Rocco A. Errico