There’s a rhythm in my musical expression.  I sing a song I love at an open mic session … and then I look for what to sing the next month.

I have to love the words.  They must say something of our human condition.  I have to love the melody.  It needs to thrill my heart.

June beckons.  What will come out of my mouth in song?  I love expressing myself in music.  How about a song that speaks of that?

How Can I Keep From Singing?

My life flows on in endless song
Above earth’s lamentation
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
That hails the new creation

Above the tumult and the strife
I hear the music ringing
It sounds an echo in my soul
How can I keep from singing?

Though the tempest loudly roars,
I hear the truth, it liveth
And though the darkness ’round me flows
Songs in the night it giveth

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

When tyrants tremble sick with 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 scorn are undefiled
How can I keep from singing?

My life flows on in endless song
Above earth’s lamentation
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
That hails the new creation

Above the tumult and the strife
I hear the music ringing
It sounds an echo in my soul
How can I keep from singing?

***

There are lines that especially warm me …

Above earth’s lamentation

It sounds an echo in my soul

Since love is lord of heaven and earth

When friends by scorn are undefiled
How can I keep from singing?

I need these words especially to flow out of me … and into you.  I need the audience (at least some of them) to be touched.

And so I begin