My life flows on in endless song

Today’s hymn from Sing Praise is ‘My life flows on in endless song’ by Robert Lowry and Doris Plenn, also known from the chorus line as ‘How can I keep from singing?’  It’s one of the few old (pre-20^th century) hymns in the book, and of American origin.

The four verses alternate the troubles of life (not listed in any detail but described as lamentation, tumult, strife, darkness etc.) with the peace that comes from knowing Jesus, whose song (‘the sweet though far-off hymn that sings a new creation’) enables the singer to cope with them. The chorus likewise asks ‘Since love is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from singing?’

I can certainly testify in my own experience that singing hymns and spiritual songs is a good way to avoid losing faith in the face of difficulty, though I don’t often achieve the level of serenity implied by these words. And I wouldn’t try and comfort someone in distress by saying “never mind, your troubles will be as nothing if you just sing hymns”.

John referred this morning to alternative lyrics found on WIkipedia and there’s a reference there to the version by Irish singer Enya. That was the first version of the hymn that I knew, having bought her album ‘Shepherd Moons’.  The last verse in that setting is ‘In prison cell and dungeon vile, our thoughts to them are winging. When friends by shame are undefiled, how can I keep from singing?’ Around that time it was widely suggested that this reference to those in prison was a subtle indication of support for IRA prisoners.  Whatever the rights and wrongs of Northern Ireland’s civil war, where atrocities were committed on both sides, Jesus did include visiting those in prison as a sign of living out his compassionate love, and for those in prison, a visit may be as uplifting as a song.