I don't think your perception is quite correct, Darowyn. It's my understanding that "Lazarus" (Greek "Lazaros") is a Latinization of the Hebrew "Eleazar," which means "God is my help." The beggar Lazarus, who was covered with sores and was quite possibly a leper, later came to be regarded as the patron saint of lepers. The association with leprosy comes from this story, but does not pre-date this story.

Note that the beggar Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) is a character in a parable. Lazarus of Bethany (Gospel of John, Chapter 11), brother of Martha and Mary, was the one who was raised from the dead.

-Joe-

---

I'm working on the lyrics of "Dives and Lazarus," and the lyrics I was given to start with were the ones from the Digital Tradition. To my mind, the DT's coupling of couplets into four-line verses is unfortunate. The usual tune is identified in hymnals as "Kingsfold" (I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say). On most recordings I've listened to, the "B" part of the melody is used on the "answer" verses ("Thou art none of my brothers" and "Rise up, rise up.") The other verses generally get the "A" part of the melody.


DIVERS AND LAZARUS (DT Version)

As it fell out upon one day rich Divers made a feast
And he invited all his friends and gentry of the best
The Lazarus laid him down and down and down at Divers door
"Some meat, some drink, brother Divers, to bestow upon the poor"

"Thou are non of my brothers, Lazarus, that lies begging at my door
No meat nor drink will I give thee, nor bestow upon the poor."
Then Lazarus laid him down and down and down at Divers' gate
"Some meat, some drink, brother Divers, for Jesus Christ's sake"

"Thou art none of my brothers, Lazarus, that lies begging at my gate
No meat nor drink will I give thee for Jesus Christ's sake"
The Divers sent out out two merry men to whip poor Lazarus away
They had no power to strike at all but threw their whips away

"Thou art none of my brothers, Lazarus, That lies begging at my wall
No meat nor drink will I give thee, but with hunger, starve you shall"
Then Divers sent out two hungry dogs to bite him as he lay
They had no power to bite at all, but licked his sores away

As it fell our upon one day, poor Lazarus sickened and died
There came two angels out of Heaven, his soul therein to guide
"Rise up, rise up, brother Lazarus, and come along with me
For there's a place prepared in Heaven to sit on an angel's knee"

As it fell out upon one day, rich Divers sickened and died
There came two serpents out of hell, his soul therein to guide
"Rise up, rise up, brother Divers, and come along with me
For there's a place prepared in Hell, from which thou canst not flee"

Then Divers looked up with his eyes and saw poor Lazarus blessed
"Give me one drop of water," he said, "To quench my flaming thirst
Had I as many years to live, as there are blades of grass
Then I would find some peace secure, and the devil would have no part."

Child #56
@religion
filename[ DIVRSLAZ
TUNE FILE: DIVRSLAZ
CLICK TO PLAY
TUNE FILE: STARDOWN
CLICK TO PLAY
recorded by Roberts and Barrand on Nowell Sing We Clear
SOF


This is what I've come up with for submission to Rise Again. What think ye?

Dives & Lazarus

[AAB] As it fell out upon one day, rich Divers made a feast
And he invited all his friends & gentry of the best
Lazarus laid him down & down, & down at Divers’ door
“Some meat, some drink, Bro. Diverus, do bestow upon the poor”
“Thou art none of my brothers, Lazarus, that lies begging at my door
No meat nor drink will I give thee, nor bestow upon the poor”

[AB] Then Lazarus laid him down & down, & down at Divers’ gate
“Some meat, some drink, Bro. Diverus, for Jesus Christ, his sake”
“Thou’rt none of my brothers, Lazarus, that lies begging at my gate
No meat nor drink will I give thee for Jesus Christ, his sake”

[AA] Then Divers sent out his merry men to whip poor Lazarus away
They’d not the power to strike one stroke, but flung their whips away
Then Divers sent out his hungry dogs to bite him as he lay
They had no power to bite at all, but licked his sores away

[AB] As it fell out upon one day, poor Lazarus sickened & died
There came 2 angels out of Heaven, his soul therein to guide
“Rise up, rise up, Bro. Lazarus & come along with me
For there's a place prepared in Heaven to sit on an angel's knee”

[AB] As it fell out upon one day, rich Divers sickened & died
There came 2 serpents out of hell, his soul therein to guide
“Rise up, rise up, Bro. Diverus & come with us to see
A dismal place prepared in Hell, from which thou canst not flee”

[AB] Then Divers looked up with his eyes & saw poor Lazarus blessed
“Give me one drop of water, Bro. Lazarus, to quench my flaming thirst
O, was I now but alive again the space of one half hour!
O, that I had my peace again, then the devil should have no power.”

trad. (English, Child ballad #56)
Tune is the same as “Star of the County Down”.
In Oxford Bk of Carols