lenten journal: more songs in the key of lent

As I was walking into work this morning, I found myself singing this song:

many’s the time I’ve been mistaken and many times confused yes, and I’ve often felt forsaken and certainly misused oh, but I’m all right, I’m all right I’m just weary to my bones still, you don’t expect to be bright and bon vivant so far away from home, so far away from home

I guess it got me thinking about some other songs that are soundtrack for these days. So, tonight I’ll start off with how I started my day. Here’s Paul Simon.

Dougie Maclean is a Scottish songwriter who has an amazing collection of songs. Here’s one for this part of the journey: “Ready for the Storm” (Kathy Mattea is singing) --

Give me mercy for my dreams for every confrontation seems to tell me what it really means to be this lonely sailor but when the sky begins to clear and the sun it melts away my fear I'll cry a silent weary tear for those that need to love me

“Hard Times Come Again No More” has been a favorite song of mine for many years. As Spring appears to be approaching, it’s not a bad time to sing it again. This time, James Taylor will lead us.

As I left work this evening, this next song appeared out of nowhere. After my last music post, someone wrote and reminded me of Peter Mayer and his music; perhaps it just took a few days for this song to bubble up.

God is a river, not just a stone God is a wild, raging rapids And a slow, meandering flow God is a deep and narrow passage And a peaceful, sandy shoal God is the river, swimmer So let go

Even in Lent, we should go out with a little joy. Here is Sarah Jarosz’ excellent cover of Tom Waits’ “Come on Up to the House” —

There's no light in the tunnel No irons in the fire Come on up to the house And your singin lead soprano In a junkman's choir You gotta come on up to the house

Can you hear the music through the circumstance?

Peace,
Milton