One to add to the list of things on NPR that made me cry in the car this week as I listened: Martin Sheen singing.
Actually, they were mostly happy tears. Mr. Sheen, I learned, has been passionate about human rights causes since using the services of a soup kitchen as a young actor. He mentioned the marches in Myanmar before performing this hymn on Prairie Home Companion last weekend. The song is one of my favorites, and though he is not a singer by trade, it was obvious that he believed what he was singing. Below are the words, and here is the link (it's in the third segment). BYU Singers and, I'm told, Enya also do lovely arrangements. (Dangerboy fans, I'll write more soon!!)
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?
2 comments:
Singing this song was a key factor in getting on with my life after a debilitating bout with depression. I'd bought myself a piano and an Enya songbook and played and sang, played and sang. And found hope.
Even now, just thinking about it, I wonder what would have happened had I not found this song...I'm getting a bit teary-eyed just thinking about it.
Felt the same way when I happened the show and heard Martin Sheen sing the song. Would love to have a CD of him singing it because his voice was filled with conviction as he delivered the words. Thanks for sharing the moment.
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