Gentle Voice

We sang one of the anthems on my bucket list today, Gentle Voice. It's a tender song with a sweet, comforting melody and up the corner of the cover, I have drawn a bucket.  My alto buddy Betty and I always draw buckets on the songs we want sung at our memorial services. I know, I know. It seems a morbid thing to write about on such a glorious Sunday, when there are so many other, happy things going on, but nevertheless, my choral bucket list is on my mind this afternoon.  

So I have a project in mind for myself, something that will combine my love of writing with my love of music ministry. It may take some time - it may take a lifetime, as a matter of fact, to complete, as I begin to coax my friends in choir to give me their musical bucket lists. 

It won't be easy, I imagine, but it is something I feel strongly about doing.  As fellow alto Kate Covington pointed out, I need to not only ask which songs to include, but also ask about 'anti-bucket list' songs as well, songs you absolutely don't want sung or played (she's a retired music professor, and her advice is always sage and wonderful).  Accordingly, I have been planting seeds throughout the alto section, certain that others will eventually learn of my plan and so will be ready when I get around to broaching the subject with them.  It'll be interesting, and a bit of a challenge, which I love.

Just for starters...here's my list: Be Thou My Vision, Randall Thompson's Allelujia, O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go, Amazing Grace, Jesus Loves Me (as played by Michael Rintamaa on the Steinway), My Shepherd Will Supply My Need, O Redeemer, Divine, Mozart's Lacrimosa and Ave Verum, and these recordings: Marian McPartland's Lush Life, Rosemary Clooney's Ol' Man River, Danny Boy, and Don't Fence Me In - oh and yes, back to the choir anthems: Gentle Voice.  Here are the words:

Far above the noise of life, 

there's a voice that is gently calling,

"Leave behind your cares and strife.

Come to Me.

I will give you rest.

Bring your fear and bring your worry.

Bring your anger, and bring your pain."

Do you hear the voice of Jesus, gently calling,

"Come unto Me?"  

Gentle voice, so meek and mild;

gentle words, of understanding.

 "You are my beloved child. Come to me.

I will give you rest. 

Bring your grief and bring your cares, 

bring your heartaches and bring your sorrow."

Gentle voice, so full of love.

Gentle words, so rich in mercy.

"You are my beloved child. 

Come to me.

I will give you rest."

(words and music by Susan Naus Dengler)

pray for peace,  

Kimmy