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Singers of Songs |
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As soon as the singer began to sing, the audience joined in the song: "Come, worship the Lord, for we are his people, the flock that he shepherds. Alleluia!" The participation was spontaneous. This was a concert, not a worship service, but when John Michael Talbot began his song, people joined in naturally, needing no invitation. It was not just his song; it was our song.
Such is the power of song. In front of us, one woman was not only singing, but also signing, her hands tracing a dance of tender beauty. She was not interpreting the song for anyone with impaired hearing; she was simply entering the song fully, with hands as well as voice.
Later last week, I learned of the death of Jerry Leiber, one of the great songwriters of early rock-and-roll. The broadcast tribute on NPR began with clips from some of his hits: "Kansas City, Here I Come," "Jailhouse Rock," "On Broadway," "Love Potion Number 9," "Ruby, Ruby," "Charlie Brown," and "Stand by Me." It's been 50 years, but I could sing along with every one.
Such is the power of song. Songs touch us more deeply than words alone. Songs build community and offer hope ("We shall overcome..."). Songs embed themselves in our memories, and when we recall the songs, it is not just words and tunes we remember, but emotions and friendships, our earlier selves, our sorrows and our dreams.
Blessed are those who give us songs to sing! |
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Come To The Quiet -- by Jan
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John Michael Talbot led us through a musical mystical journey that would be, if we but let it, a pattern and path into the soul of God. He opened the concert by calling upon the Holy Spirit to renew the face of the earth. Any mystical journey begins by opening the awareness to the need to return more deeply to God. The songs brought us to praise, to worship, and then to surrender. Surrender. Mary's surrender to the Word of God made flesh within, Holy is Your Name, preceded the affirmation of the presence of God within, Only in God. JMT put the words of Mary upon our lips and then brought us through to our final commitment in the benediction, St. Teresa's Prayer, expressed in song - the contemplative in action - eyes looking with "compassion on this world."
The concert last week was, for me, an active journey into a quiet, restful place of sacred peacefulness. It also was a reprise of a similar journey taken with JMT's music in the mid-'80's. Although I was fortunate to have known faith and religion all my life, it was during a 'second naivete' that I became aware again for the first time of the presence of God through a relationship with Jesus, enriched by the Holy Spirit. Now again I truly felt the mysterium tremendens. Praying with the JMT music brought familiar lyrics to the lips of my heart -- I Found my Beloved.
Come To The Quiet is John Michael Talbot's most sung song. I cannot listen to it too many times. What are the distractions that keep me from coming to the quiet often - daily - moment by moment? How is it that I forget how near and how dear is the Beloved? When will I make these haunting, beautiful prayers my constant breath song? Will I truly look with compassion on this world - ever? .....Surrender..... Lord, send forth your Spirit and renew the face of the earth. |
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