Leonard Bernstein died 10 years ago today. The NY Philharmonic is playing
his 1942 "Jeremiah" Symphony as part of the remembrance. The symphony's
text, from "Lamentations," about Jerusalem:

   How doth the city sit solitary,
   That was full of people!
   How is she become a widow!
   She that was great among the nations,
   And princess among the provinces,
   How is she become tributary!

   She weepeth sore in the night,
   And her tears are on her cheeks;
   She hath none to comfort her
   Among all her lovers;
   All her friends have dealt treacherously with her,
   They are become her enemies.

   Judah is gone into exile because of affliction,
   And because of great servitude;
   She dwelleth among the nations,
   She findeth no rest.
   All her pursuers overtook her
   Within the narrow passes.
   -Lamentations, Chapter 1, 1-3

   Jerusalem hath grievously sinned . . .
   -Chapter 1, 8

   How doth the city sit solitary
   . . . a widow.

   They wander as blind men in the streets,
   They are polluted with blood,
   So that men cannot
   Touch their garments.

   Depart, ye unclean! they cried unto them,
   Depart, depart! touch us not . . .
   -Chapter 4, 14-15

   Wherefore dost Thou forget us forever,
   And forsake us so long time? . . .

   Turn Thou us into Thee, O Lord . . .
   -Chapter 5, 20-21

Janos Gereben/SF, CA
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