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 H. 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
Thinking tonight of evenings spent making music with folks
who love it, too. Nights when we sat in a circle, and played and sang with, and
for, each other. When 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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