how can i keep from singing?

my life goes on in endless song,
above earth's lamentation.
i hear the real, though far-off song,
that hails a new creation.

no storm can shake my inmost calm,
while to that rock i'm clinging.
it sounds an echo in my soul.
how can i keep from singing?

although the storms around me blow,
i know the truth will guide me,
although the darkness 'round me grow,
my song's the light beside me.

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?
-anna bartlett warner


what a proclamation!

when i sing, there are no other
thought forms in my mind..
unless of course i can't remembre
the words..then i struggle to
excavate the text from layers
of shale upon sand upon dust
until finally..(or not)
the words burst forth..
just like the sound of music..alive!
the song's the light inside me.

some weeks ago, barbara and i
attended three choral concerts..
the first was up in san francisco
at grace cathedral..
the cathedral is the hostess
to two labyrinths; it is a mystical
vortex in the centre of the city..
the vaulted ceilings open the heart
to the greatness we embody..
we recognize our self here!

chanticleer hoisted us up to the roof tops
with the commissioned mass..
and on earth peace.
it was created by five different
composers; each of different faiths..
catholic, sufi/islam, judiasm..
greek orthodox and gaelic/celtic..
awe-inspiring and haunting,
the mass left us somewhat uneasy..
knowing that peace is a raw thing..
momentary, fleeting..every instant..
our vigilance is tested to choose ..
to choose peace in every single breath.

the next concert was in monterey
at the royal presidio chapel..
an olde adobe church..
the concert was entitled:
o beautiful for spacious skies
sung by the camerata singers.
the concert opened with
i can't keep from singing.
one could tell that the singers
would be hard pressed to keep
their voices to themselves,
such was their unfettered joy in song.
barbara would love to have
america the beautiful
as our national anthem!

the last concert of the week-end
was at the sunset cultural centre
in carmel where the monterey symphony
serves the community..
we were enchanted by brahams
the german requiem.
this was a piece with two choirs
(monterey symphony chorus/san jose symphonic choir)
joining together and two soloists who
granted us their magic..
loel joined us for this concert.
she enthused us to the trombone;
which she had played in her younger years.

we were all gathered up
on the wings of voice,
of horn and timpani
and transported ...
into high mansions of calm.

it is said that there are many more choirs
appearing every where these days;
many voices raised on high..to sing..

love is the lord of all-
we can't keep from singing!