Thursday, March 17, 2011

How can I keep from singing?














That Lillian. Happy little girl.

Happy Birthday Gwenyth - your big sister loves you!


My cup runneth over.

How can I keep from singing?


  My life goes on in endless song:

Above earth's lamentation,
I catch the sweet, tho' 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 tho' my joys and comfort die?
The Lord my Saviour liveth;
What tho' 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 heaven and earth,
How can I keep from singing?
I lift my eyes; the cloud grows thin;
I see the blue above it;
And day by day this pathway smooths,
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?
My life goes on in endless song,
above earth's lamentation.
I hear the real, though 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 though the tempest loudly roars,
I hear the truth, it liveth,
What though 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 pile
our thoughts to them are winging,
when friends by shame are undefiled;
How can I keep from singing.

My life goes on in endless sing,
above earth's lamentation,
I hear the real, though 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?


  1. Hi Laura, I've been thinking about you today! Glad to hear it has been a good day. Love you!

  2. This morning, I went to light the candle I've lit for Gwenyth all week; Emerson sitting close-by began singing Happy Birthday. I stopped her and said, "Hey Emmy, do you know who's birthday it is today?" She looked at me quizically and I told her it was Gwenyth's birthday. And so, we sang, happy birthday to Gwenyth too.

    I am so thrilled to see that you had a good day and love that Lil is likely dreaming about her sis tonight. Much love, my sister.

  3. You know, in a way, I've been waiting to hear you say, "How can I keep from singing?" It feels like a sign to me....not of something like "closure" or anything to do with grief or processing. But of something holier....something of God......something like the glowing ember that, though doused and doused, has not been put out. The Spirit of Christ in you, beyond understanding.....remains.

    The refining fire has burnt high for long, and my heart leaps for you, to see some glimmers of that pure gold that shines through.

    I am singing with you. I feel like you just gave birth again.

    May God nurture that song in your heart every day of your life.

  4. Pardon all the poeticisms....I get that way when I read your blog. :)

  5. Raining tears as I read your words. So thankful for a Him pulling you close today and giving you a song to sing. I love what Susannah wrote: "The Spirit of Christ in you, beyond understanding... remains." Amen. I see Him, too.

    Love to you and yours. So much love.

  6. I'm so glad that you have that sweet Lillian.

  7. Glad the day went OK and you came out of it feeling good. I was thinking of you all, even though with the time difference I had no idea where you were in your day... Lillian sounds like such a sweetheart.

