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Pete Seeger helped
to make this song fairly well-known in the folk-revival. He learned it from Doris
Plenn, who had it from her North Carolina family. Below are some of the verses to
this song. The song received new prominence in 1991 when Irish singer Enya
released a recording of the hymn on her album Shepherd Moons that brought
the hymn back into prominence. I think she is singing the
background music.
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How
can i keep from singing |
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Words
& Music by
Robert
Lowry, 1860. |
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My life flows on in endless song
Above earth's lamentation.
I hear the real, thought far off hymn
That hails the new creation
Above the tumult and the strife,
I hear the music ringing;
It sounds an echo in my soul
How can I keep from singing?
What through the tempest loudly roars,
I hear the truth, it liveth.
What through 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, sick with 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?
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My life flows on in endless song;
Above earth’s lamentation
I hear the sweet though far off hymn
That hails a new creation:
Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear the music ringing;
It finds an echo in my soul—
How can I keep from singing?
What though my joys and comforts die?
The Lord my Savior liveth;
What though the darkness gather round!
Songs in the night He giveth:
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that refuge clinging;
Since Christ is Lord of Heav’n and earth,
How can I keep from singing?
I lift mine eyes; the cloud grows thin;
I see the blue above it;
And day by day this pathway smoothes
Since first I learned to love it:
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
A fountain ever springing:
All things are mine since I am His—
How can I keep from singing?
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Peter Seeger
Pete Seeger born May 3, 1919
is almost universally known as a folk singer, political activist, and author.
As a member
of the Weavers, he had a string of hits, including a 1949 recording of
Leadbelly's "Goodnight Irene" that topped the charts for 13 weeks in
1950...
He is perhaps best known today as the author or co-author of the songs
"Where Have All the Flowers Gone", "If I Had a Hammer", and
"Turn, Turn, Turn", which have been recorded by many artists both in
and outside the folk revival movement and are still sung throughout the world.
"Flowers" was a hit recording for The Kingston Trio, Marlene Dietrich,
who recorded it in English, German and French (1962), and Johnny Rivers.
"If I Had a Hammer" was a hit for Peter, Paul & Mary and Trini
Lopez, while The Byrds popularized "Turn, Turn, Turn" in the
mid-1960s.
From
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
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I
spoke to her daughter, Chris early today who said they
were all relieved that she was no longer suffering. Her
final days were very difficult for her and for her
family. Sherry would have posted this but asked me to
write this on her behalf. Funeral arrangements are
not firm due to the Easter weekend, but according to her
cousin, Simon Bookout, services will be at Immanuel
Baptist in Little Rock at 10:00 a.m., but the day is not
set yet. It will more than likely be on Monday, but that
has not been decided. Burial will be in the Rector
cemetery in the afternoon following the funeral. I will
pass on the latest when I know more.
Jean
Holifield Miles was first and foremost a nurturing soul,
who always saw the best in everyone she knew. Her
personality was ever sunny and bright, and she was
optimistic to her core. She always seemed to accept
people as they were, and her optimism had no
bounds. Jean was passionately protective of her
family and friends, and was willing to sacrifice almost
anything to help others in need. Even in her darkest
moments, Jean always worried more about the needs of
others than she ever was about herself. She was probably
the most unselfish, giving person I have ever known.
This is a terrible loss to all who knew her. We can take
comfort in the wonderful memory
of her radiant personality, spontaneous laughter and an
abiding confidence that things would be better. To know
Jean was to know the essence of a loving spirit.
No matter how long she was away, Jean never lost her
love and affection for all things connected to Rector.
It is fitting that she will be returned to her native
Rector soil. She was sorely missed at our last class reunion--at the
time she had an injury that had prevented her from
coming. It is ironic that this occasion led to a closer
physical examination that revealed the presence of the
cancer that eventually took her. 
I
was fortunate to spend a few moments with her from time
to time when she felt good enough after chemotherapy or
surgery to have outside visitors. Even though she had
lost her hair, and was fighting the tubes and devices
used in chemotherapy, she never complained, even when
she was very uncomfortable. She even managed to make a
joke about being bald, and a look into those expressive
eyes told you she really did think it was funny, even
with the underlying concern. She fought the cancer every
step of the way, and set an example of courage for us
all.
She
rarely talked about what might be over the next hill,
but it seemed clear to me that she was prepared for
whatever was waiting. We can honor Jean by
remembering her valiant passion for living life to its
fullest, for her interest in the needs of others, and
for her sweet and cheerful optimism. Few of us can be as
generous in spirit as Jean was, but she left a wonderful
model to follow. Our good friend is gone, but she
remains with us all forever.
