BLOGGING-THOMAS

I live a fortunate,  indeed by most of the world’s standards a privileged, life.  Yet few days are just “eazy peazy” – many are a challenge for me like lots of people, even if for different reasons.  Today has been on of my most challenging in a while; don’t ask me why … I told you, I’d have to ….. (as the saying goes).  Let’s just say that sometimes Christians can seem far more part of the problem than the solution.

Yet all day, I’ve had going through my head the old traditional Shaker hymn, a powerful eschatological invocation of hope breaking in out of the future in places where it cannot yet be seen,  only sung.  It’s entitled “How can I keep from singing?”  Any time I find myself answering by saying, “How long have you got …,” I know it’s time for this song again.

What my mind hears is the Folk Legacy recording of Gordon Bok, Ann Mayo Muir & Ed Trickett from the 1970s or earlier (yes, I owned it only in vinyl); but this YouTube recording by the Celtic singer Enya will have to do! Listen and pray along and tell me it doesn’t soften your sharp edges just a bit; or if it doesn’t, play it again … now again … now … [If it starts in fullscreen mode, click the bottom right corner of your screen to reduce the image so you can read along with the lyrics below.]

  My life goes on in endless song
  Above earth’s lamentations,
I hear the real though far off hymn
That hails a new creation.

Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear its music ringing,
It sounds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?

While though the tempest loudly roars,
I hear the truth it liveth.
And though the darkness round me close,
Songs in the night it giveth.

No storm can shake my inmost calm,
While to that rock I’m clinging.
Since love is lord of heaven and earth
How can I keep from singing?

When tyrants tremble in their fear
And hear their death knell ringing,
When friends rejoice both far and near
How can I keep from singing?

In prison cell and dungeon vile
Our thoughts to them are winging,
When friends by shame are undefiled
How can I keep from singing?