Hey there,
One of the first songs I remember falling in love with when I was a kid was “Joy to the World.”
No, not the Christmas carol.
I’m talking about the one performed by Three Dog Night about a bullfrog named Jeremiah. It goes like this.
Joy to The World
Jeremiah was a bullfrog
Was a good friend of mine
I never understood a single word he said
But I helped him a-drink his wine
And he always had some mighty fine wine
Singin’ joy to the world
All the boys and girls now
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me
And if I were the king of the world
Tell you what I’d do
I’d throw away the cars and the bars and the war
Make sweet love to you
Sing it now, joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me
You know I love the ladies
Love to have my fun
I’m a high life flyer and a rainbow rider
A straight shootin’ son-of-a-gun
I said a straight shootin’ son-of-a-gun
Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me
Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the world
Joy to you and me
Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me
Joy to the world
Joy to you and me
Joy to the world
All the boys and girls now
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me
Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea
Joy to you and me
Joy to the world
All the boys and girls
~ Written by Hoyt Axton, performed by Three Dog Night
You probably noticed those lyrics are not all kid friendly. But that didn’t matter at the time. I loved that song.
I still do!
Hoyt Axton wrote the song for a children’s TV special to promote peace and harmony in the world. The song was to be called “The Happy Song.” He wrote the Joy to the World chorus and the melody. But he needed the other verses.
So he quickly threw down some lyrics as a placeholder using the first thing that came to mind. Axton planned to go back and change them later. But the special was canceled so he set the song aside.
Hoyt Axton was opening for Three Dog Night on one of their tours and he pitched the happy song to them. The band was looking for a song to complete their Naturally album so they recorded Joy to the World as-is … before Axton could rewrite the lyrics. Joy to the World spent 6 weeks at number 1 on the Billboard charts in 1971.
What does Jeremiah the bullfrog have to do with the Rosary?
Nothing really. The chorus kept running through my mind as I prepared this week’s issue of Genuflect that spotlights the Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary.
Hopefully these resources will help you deepen your meditation as you pray the Joyful Mysteries. And now you know the full story of how an unfinished happy, joyful song became a number 1 rock hit back in the 70’s.
Keep Believing-
Katy Barrilleaux
Founding Editor, Genuflect
P. S. Check out our other Rosary reflections: The Glorious Mysteries, The Sorrowful Mysteries, and The Luminous Mysteries.
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genuflect: resources
How Joyful Are These Mysteries?
Upon first glance, the Joyful Mysteries seem to live up to their name, especially when compared to the Sorrowful Mysteries. But upon closer inspection, Father Nnamdi Moneme points out that there is still some pain and suffering in them. And this makes sense, he explains, because we can’t experience joy without pain.
How Joyful Are The Joyful Mysteries? | Catholic Exchange
Joyful Artwork
If you’re the visual type, then this article is for you. Catholic Link has pulled from 2,000 years of art history to provide sacred art for each of the 5 Joyful Mysteries. So you can use your visual powers to meditate on these mysteries.
5 Works of Art to Help You Pray The Joyful Mysteries of The Rosary | Catholic Link
First Joyful Mystery
The Annunciation of the Angel to Mary is the first Joyful Mystery. Learn more about it in Totus2us’ information, including a Scriptural reference, meditation, and several reflections by a Nun, a Priest and even Pope Benedict XVI.
1st Joyful Mystery of the Rosary – The Annunciation | Totus2us
The Annunciation of The Angel to Mary
Joe Paprocki reminds us that even though the Angel Gabriel spoke to Mary, she didn’t know all the details of God’s plan. She still had to trust God. And that’s a great reminder for us to learn as we meditate on the Annunciation.
The Joyful Mysteries: The Annunciation and Encountering Mystery | Catechist’s Journey
Second Joyful Mystery
The second Joyful Mystery is the Visitation of Mary to Saint Elizabeth. Totus2us provides the Scriptural reference, prayer, meditation, and reflections to give us a deeper understanding of this mystery.
2nd Joyful Mystery of the Rosary – The Visitation | Totus2us
The Visitation of Mary to Saint Elizabeth
Here we have a meditation from Saint Ambrose of Milan who reflects on the Virgin Mary’s Visitation of her cousin Elizabeth as recounted by the evangelist Luke in the first chapter of his Gospel.
Mary’s Visitation of Elizabeth – Ambrose | Crossroads Initiative
Third Joyful Mystery
Here’s an in-depth look at the third Joyful Mystery, the Nativity of Jesus in Bethlehem. You’ll find Scriptural references, meditation, and numerous reflections, including homilies by Saint Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.
3rd Joyful Mystery of the Rosary – The Nativity |Totus2us
The Nativity of Jesus in Bethlehem
The birth of Our Lord is indeed well known. So it can be a challenge to see it with fresh eyes. Will Duquette manages to dig a little deeper and what he uncovers has to do with trust.
The Third Joyful Mystery: The Nativity | Catholic Mom
Fourth Joyful Mystery
Here you’ll find a scriptural reference, meditation, prayer and some reflections on the fourth Joyful Mystery, the Presentation of Jesus to the Temple.
The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple – 4th Joyful Mystery of the Rosary | Totus2us
The Presentation of Jesus to The Temple
Meg Hunter-Kilmer explains what we need to know about this Jewish tradition in order to fully understand its significance.
Why The 4th Joyful Mystery is Joyful Only Because Mary is Mary | Aleteia
Fifth Joyful Mystery
And just like the other Mysteries, here Totus2us provides a Scriptural reference, meditation, and a reflection on the fifth Joyful Mystery, the Finding of Jesus in the Temple.
The Finding of Jesus in The Temple – 5th Joyful Mystery | Totus2us
The Finding of Jesus in The Temple
Every parent can imagine the sheer terror that Mary and Joseph must have felt as they searched for 3 days for Jesus before finding him in the Temple. Brent compares their experience with our own experience of making assumptions and being far from Jesus.
Rosary Meditation — The Fifth Joyful Mystery | Rosary Meds
genuflect: prayer
How to Pray The Holy Rosary
Follow these step-by-step instructions for praying the Holy Rosary, including the Creed, the Fatima Prayer, the optional Eternal Rest Prayer, and each of the Divine Mysteries, but especially the Joyful Mysteries. You’ll find everything you need to pray the Rosary here.
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Digital Inspiration
Click below to download this week’s free inspirational wallpaper for your desktop and your phone. Or download one of the previous wallpapers
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