MTC #199 - G-B-D-A-D-G (Lullaby)

Oft times, the reality of certain emotional events or occurrences in life don't really sink in until long after they've come and gone. But several of those sank in, today, as the Choir sang a song called "A Lullaby".

Words just can't describe how beautiful this song is. Everything from the lyrics (which are taken from a poem by Eugene Field), to the orchestral arrangement, to the standout piano solos/accompaniment, to the chord combinations. Composer Ryan Murphy couldn't have done any better. And while the tragedy at Sandy Hook several years ago was indeed, a terrible tragedy, I'm thankful that this song came to be, because of it.

As I sang the words today, I was rather an emotional mess. I thought of my daughter, Rebekah, now attending college and soon to leave for a mission. I thought of all of my kids, now many years past their infant stage of life--and longing to get that time back when I could hold them in my arms again. I thought of singing songs to them when they were little, and when life was simpler. I thought of my brother and his wife just recently having to endure a still birth. I thought of the many parents who lost their little ones on December 14, 2012, in Newtown, Connecticut, and any parent who has had to endure the death of a child. 

With all of these thoughts and emotions going through my heart, it was difficult to get through the song at all. Particularly when the choir sang, and the orchestra played, a particular chord combination (as notated in the title of this blog entry). I've said it before, but I'll say it again: there are certain note combinations in songs I've sung over the course of my life, that seem to have some direct link into my emotions. They are so strong that it's all I can do to  keep singing and stay composed for those in the audience listening. 

As I pondered on the experience I had today, I was again grateful for the gifts in this life--one of those being little children. And I was grateful that good things, beautiful things, can come of tragedies. 

Until next time, God be with you.