Saturday, October 13, 2007

How Can I Keep From Singing?

Well, being choked with tears makes it hard!


Last Sunday Mr. Burns and I went to Mass at his Church so he could lector.
I really enjoy attending Mass with him - something I couldn't do with other men that I've dated.

We are both susceptible to being very moved by the music - so when the choir announced the last song of the mass, "How Can I Keep from Singing" I broke into a broad smile and whispered, "This is a good one, but I can't get through it without crying."

Now, Mr. Burns suffers the same affliction with other songs so he understood. But I barely made it to "lamentation" only the 10th word in the song! and already my eyes were welled up!

My life flows on in endless song
Above earth's lamentation

Mr. Burns glanced at me and soon there were streams down his face! I elbowed him and asked, "Why are you crying?" And as we both wiped tears away, suddenly we couldn't control our laughter. People must have thought we were nuts!

Later he told me that just seeing me react to the strong emotion of the song set him off and he couldn't help it.
Now I wonder if the next time the choir fires that song up.... whether I'll cry or laugh!

This is my favorite line....

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?


And that's usually where I lose it - at the refrain.
It's so beautiful, I want it played at my funeral.

1 comment:

TRS said...

That choir must really like that song! I got to test my reaction this Sunday.

As soon as they announced the song... we both started to giggle.

Tempered with equal parts laughter to sobbing emotions I managed to remain neutral!

Of course the next song was 'Be Not Afraid' which is Mr. Burns' trigger... it was played at his father's funeral. I passed him my hanky.

background