Wednesday, July 16, 2008

How Can I Keep From Singing?






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?

My father, Paul Phillips, died this morning. I will write more later but this is the last thing I sang to him before he died.

4 comments:

Fr. Aaron Orear said...

God bless you and give rest to your father's soul. My prayers and thoughts are with you.

Erin said...

Thanks Aaron. It has been a week of horror, sorrow, and many many blessings.

Kathryn said...

Oh Erin, I am sorry. May he rest in peace and rise in glory - and may you receive many many hugs from God to carry you throught this hard time.

Erin said...

Thanks Kathryn