the wind draws the notes. The seasons keep time.
At dusk and at night, from the sunrise past noon
God’s playing and singing a ravishing tune.
---Thomas Troeger, 1985
Thou rushing wind that art so strong, ye clouds that sail
in heaven along,
Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice; ye lights of
evening, find a voice.
Thou flowing water, pure and clear, make music for thy
Lord to hear;
Thou fire so masterful and bright, that givest us both
warmth and light.
Alleluia!
---Francis of Assisi, 1225
I spent this evening making music with some of the greatest
guys I know. We sat in a circle, and played and sang with, and for, each other.
We learned, and taught, suggested, improved, polished, sat back and enjoyed.
Some of my favorite times are those I spend sitting with people who love songs
like I do, making them come alive.
I spend a good bit of my free time with music. Listening to
music, singing, playing, writing music---marrying text with tune to find the
just-right expression that transcends both. The first hymn text above, from
Thomas Troeger, asks us to imagine Creator God, sitting in a circle with all of
creation, making sacred sound that becomes more beautiful as more, and more diverse, elements are
added to its harmonies. Imagine sitting in that singing circle! After living with the charming Troeger text, my mind
was drawn, repeatedly, back across centuries to the words of celebration and
praise left us by Francis of Assisi. He so connected with Creator God through
God’s creation; this text is praise to the Creator and thanksgiving for the
music of creation.
Grab a drum or guitar, or warm up your pipes…God is
gathering all creation for a music circle! Let’s not be late…I hear it will
be epic.
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