One of the records that has been in heavy rotation at our house is Fifteen by The Wailin’ Jennys. (There are so many anachronisms in that sentence.) It is a record of cover songs, and specifically songs about grief and sorrow. They have the awesome audacity to sing Emmylou Harris’ “Boulder to Birmingham,” Warren Zevon’s “Keep Me In Your Heart,” and Patty Griffin’s “Not Alone,” along with Tom Petty, Paul Simon, and Dolly Parton covers. Dolly’s song, “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” was what set me to writing tonight, as I went looking for words of hope I promised. And it is worth sharing here.
it’s been a long dark night
and I’ve been a waitin’ for the morning
it’s been a long hard fight
but I see a brand new day a dawning
I’ve been looking for the sunshine
’cause I ain’t seen it in so long
but everything’s gonna work out just fine
everything’s gonna be all right
that’s been all wrong’cause I can see the light of a clear blue morning
I can see the light of a brand new day
I can see the light of a clear blue morning
and everything’s gonna be all right
it’s gonna be okay
As much as I love the song, I want to offer something more tonight than everything is going to be okay, so I’m going to turn to the song that introduced me to the Wailin’ Jennys: “One Voice.”
this is the sound of one voice
one spirit, one voice
the sound of one who makes a choice
this is the sound of one voicethis is the sound of voices two
the sound of me singing with you
helping each other to make it through
this is the sound of voices twothis is the sound of voices three
singing together in harmony
surrendering to the mystery
this is the sound of voices threethis is the sound of all of us
singing with love and the will to trust
leave the rest behind it will turn to dust
this is the sound of all of usthis is the sound of one voice
one people, one voice
a song for every one of us
this is the sound of one voice
this is the sound of one voice
A song for every one of us. Our one voice is not a solo, but a glorious choir singing back to the night. Let the melody carry you. Sing along.
Peace,
Milton
One of my favorite artists and favorite songs 🙂 I remember traipsing around Wilton Baptist Church during my internship in Connecticut, listening to One Voice on repeat as I set up chairs for worship and vespers services. What an incredible peace it brings.
I can picture you singing and setting up the room. Happy Advent.
Peace,
Milton
Beautiful! Amen!
I always look forward to your Advent / Lenten thoughts. Thanks for sharing them.
‘Surrendering to the mystery’, indeed. Thanks!
“One Voice” was my introduction to the Wailin’ Jennys, too – here in one of your blog posts, years ago. For which I will be forever grateful! I’m so glad to have your voice in the mix again this Advent, too. Thank you for sharing your thoughts (and your playlists!).