Forty Days and Forty Nights - George H. Smyttan & Martin Herbst

Translated into ASL by David Bar-Tzur

Created 4 February 2008, links updated monthly with the help of LinkAlarm.

EXPLANATION OF THE GLOSSING SYSTEM
(to understand how I describe the signs in this translation).

1. FORTY D-A-Y AND FORTY NIGHT
YOU-lf FAST IN WILDERNESS.
FORTY D-A-Y AND FORTY NIGHT
SATAN TEMPT BUT YOU-lf RESIST.

2. [Some versions skip this verse]
ALL-DAY SUNSHINE BEAT-DOWN.
ALL-NIGHT WATER alt.DRIP-DOWN'cold'.
ANIMAL WILD SAUNTER-BY.
STONE YOUR-lf PILLOW, EARTH YOUR-lf BED.

3. WE SHOULD COPY HOW YOU-lf SAD+.
WORLD OFFER JOY, AVOID.
alt.FAST, PRAY+
BECOME STRONG, SUFFER ACCEPT.

4. HAPPEN SATAN TEMPT+,
JESUS, SAVIOR, ANSWER PRAYER.
YOU-lf CONQUER EVIL WILDERNESS,
HELP US NOT FAINT OR RELAPSE.

5. WE WILL HAVE PEACE FROM GOD.
HAPPY WHY? WE HOLY ADD-TO.
ANGEL SHINY ROUND-ABOUT US.
LIKE ANGEL GROUP TAKE-CARE-0F YOU-lf.

6. TAKE-CARE-OF US, SAVIOR SWEET.
ALWAYS STAY NEXT-TO US.
HAPPEN EASTER TIME-PERIOD ARRIVE
WE ABLE STAY WITH YOU-lf.


Notes: YOU - Underlined words are honorific indices ("indexes"), using the FT of the upturned palm to indicate who is being honored.

FAST - Zip mouth closed with [F].

WILDERNESS - COUNTRY SETTLE, NOT-YET. Where the second sign is (2h)[5], POs down, FOs away, descend with several stops along the way.

SATAN/EVIL - SATAN - (2h)[3], wg while moving repeatedly > forehead. For an animated gif of this sign, see Valley Bible Church - ASL dictionary: Satan.

TEMPT - (2h)[A^] hold imaginary pitchfork and poke at the person being tempted. Don't confuse this with TEMPTED, which is FT of [X] taps elbow.

BEAT-DOWN - [5^] points to head from above and circles in a slight vertical circle.

alt.DRIP-DOWN'cold' - (2h)[S], PO down, alternately flick the index finger out to show dew and the face grimaces to show it is cold.

SAUNTER-BY - (2h)[S], alt move arms with FOs down as if walking on paws.

JOY - (1) alt.HAPPY. (2) EXCITED. (3) J-EXCITED.

SAVIOR - S-FREE AGENT.

FAINT - Touch temple with index finger and (2h)[5] start from their respective sides and slide their palms against each other as they pass to the opposite side.

RELAPSE - [V] touches FT to [B], PO up, and "slips and falls".

HOLY - H-CLEAN. For a QuickTime file of this sign, see ASL Pro: Holy - 1.

SHINY - (2h)[open 8], POs down, FOs away, twist rapidly at wrists while rising. For a QuickTime file of this sign, see ASL Pro: Shine.

ROUND-ABOUT - [5], PO down, FO away, circles above NDH [1], PO > DS, FO up.

EASTER - (2h)[E], POs away, FOs up, separate in upward arcs. For a QuickTime file of this sign, see ASL Pro: Easter.

TIME-PERIOD - [T], PO > NDS, FO up, travels in a vertical plane parallel to the NDH and makes contact with NDH [B], PO > DS, FO away. For a QuickTime file of this sign, see ASL Pro: Period - Time.

Lyrics:

1. Forty days and forty nights
Thou wast fasting in the wild;
Forty days and forty nights
Tempted, and yet undefiled.

2. [Some versions skip this verse]
Sunbeams scorching all the day;
Chilly dew-drops nightly shed;
Prowling beasts about Thy way;
Stones Thy pillow; earth Thy bed.

3. Should not we Thy sorrow share
And from worldly joys abstain,
Fasting with unceasing prayer,
Strong with Thee to suffer pain?

4. Then if Satan on us press,
Jesus, Savior, hear our call!
Victor in the wilderness,
Grant we may not faint nor fall!

5. So shall we have peace divine:
Holier gladness ours shall be;
Round us, too, shall angels shine,
Such as ministered to Thee.

6. Keep, O keep us, Savior dear,
Ever constant by Thy side;
That with Thee we may appear
At the eternal Eastertide.

treble clef as a symbol for musicTo hear a musical setting of these lyrics (without words), go to Forty Days and Forty Nights.

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