Music Hallel Trinity Album Early Songs Purim Songs Audio Archaeology
Our church celebrates the Jewish festival of Purim every year. Back in the 1990s I wrote some songs with the idea that we would put on a Purim Play. The play never came together, but the songs remained in a rough rehearsal cassette tape I recently found in a file cabinet. Matt McShane accompanied me on guitar with Powell Holloway on Bass. After I rediscovered these songs , I decided to write a new one – Esther’s Dilemma – to round out the story.
Little Flower
– Music and Lyrics by John Rutledge
After Esther is chosen to be the king’s new queen, she wonders if she is growing up too fast.
Mordecai’s Song
– Music and Lyrics by John Rutledge
Jews in exile lived in a precarious relationship with the Persian Empire.
Radical Thought
– Music and Lyrics by John Rutledge
Two of the kings chamberlains Teresh and Bigthan (love that name) plot to kill the king in a coup. Mordecai overhears their planning and alerts the authorities.
Haman’s Demand
– Music and Lyrics by John Rutledge
Haman, the kings advisor, wants to humiliate Mordecai.
King Ahasuerus Blues
– Music and Lyrics by John Rutledge
Mordecai had told Esther to conceal her Jewish identity. The king feels something’s not right between them, but doesn’t know what.
Esther’s Dilemma
– Music and Lyrics by John Rutledge
To save her people from Haman’s plan to exterminate the Jews, Esther must enter the king’s throne room with her appeal. But to come unbidden risks the death penalty.
Spoiler: Haman is hanged on the same gallows he prepared for Mordecai.
For more information about the fascinating feast of Purim:
