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Words to life goes on8/11/2023 ![]() ![]() Hobby with an upbeat brass and organ accompaniment. One setting that emphasizes less of the quiet peace and more of the joy of singing is “How Can I Keep from Singing” by Robert A. “Endless Song” is another choral arrangement by Douglas Wagner using Lowry's original meter. Most arrangements of this tune are rather quiet and have a peaceful mood, such as “Reflections on 'Endless Song'” a thoughtfully paced handbell arrangement, or the piano solo version in the collection ”Then Sings My Soul.” A simple arrangement suitable for smaller choirs, using the altered version of the tune, is “How Can I Keep from Singing” for SAB choir and keyboard accompaniment. This hymn can be used anytime as a reminder of the joy of faith, especially in times of trial. The tune is pentatonic with a consistent rhythmic pattern (in its original form), and works well when sung unaccompanied. It was originally written in triple meter (3/2), but some modern hymnals have changed the tune to a slightly irregular duple meter (4/4) with a little syncopation. Robert Lowry wrote the tune HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING (also called ENDLESS SONG from the opening line of the first stanza) to accompany these words, and it appeared with the text in Bright Jewels in 1869. The theme of the text is Christian peace and joy, even in times of trial. It usually appears with four stanzas and a refrain. Modern hymnals split the stanzas in half the second half of the original second stanza is used as a refrain, and the first half of the original third stanza is omitted. The text was originally written in three long stanzas. Oh yeah life goes on Long after the thrill of livin is gone Oh yeah life goes on Long after the thrill of livin is gone, they walk on Jacky sits back collects his thoughts for the moment Scratches his head and does his best James Dean. However, “Shall We Gather at the River” (number 110 in Bright Jewels), which was unquestionably written entirely by Lowry, is attributed in the same way. In that book, the initials “R.L.” appear above the music where the composer is credited, but the space for the author of the text is blank. Bradbury died a year before the collection was published. ![]() William Bradbury included it in Bright Jewels for the Sunday School, published in 1869. Skaggfacemutt (9820 points )Great Answer (1 points ). Keep it in mind as you hopefully have a good Sunday.The text of this hymn first appeared in The New York Observer (1868), titles "Always Rejoicing," and attributed to "Pauline T." It appeared without attribution in The Christian Pioneer, Vol 23, page 53. That is obla-dee, obla-di, life goes oooooon, la-la-la-la life goes on. Here’s the Beatles with their Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da which uses that phrase as a refrain. But for today, I am going to trust their judgement. Even though they seem wise enough that I want to trust that they somehow know this to be true, these days I find myself doubting them. ![]() I guess I can only look to the words of Robert Frost and many others who have told us that life will go on. The destructive effect of the two on the lives of those involved is much the same, that’s for sure. It wouldn’t surprise me if they had somehow sprang from the same Pandora’s Box and ultimately resembled one another. I saw the photo at the top of the California wildfires as seen from above the clouds and at first glimpse thought it was a closeup of the coronavirus. I wish I could quote Dickens and say that it was the best of times, it was worst of times but quite honestly, where is the best of times to be found these days? Much of the imagery you see these days is downright terrifying and disheartening, from the apocalyptic fire scenes from the west coast to the images of clashes in the streets between protesters and police to the scenes of armed white supremacists being given virtual carte blanche treatment as they move about the country to the ugly, hateful stupidity displayed so publicly now by the president’s red hatted followers as they gather to piss and moan about “their country” being taken from them. –Robert Frost, on his 80th birthday, speaking to journalist Ray Josephs, 1954 tempted to say this is the end, the finish. with politicians and people slinging the word fear around, all of us become discouraged. He also reflects on the ups and downs of his life, but. In all the confusions of today, with all our troubles. He tells his partner that no matter what happens, they will always find a way back to each other. He paused a moment, then with the twinkle sparkling under those brambly eyebrows he replied: “In three words, I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life. “In all your years and all your travels,” I asked, “what do you think is the most important thing you’ve learned about life?” View of California Wildfires From Above the Clouds
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