Growing up in the 1970s was a great time for music. Rock was king. My musical ears were spoon-fed Genesis,
Kansas, Yes, Led Zeppelin, Boston, Styx, Earth Wind and Fire, and Steely Dan to
name just a few. Music greatly
influenced me then and continues to do so this day. Since then I have become a Country Music fan,
mostly the newer stuff that sounds like a blend of country, rock and pop. Musicians like Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood,
Luke Bryan and Rascal Flats are really good.
Their music touches the soul and lifts me up where I can be
encouraged and even process the myriad of feelings that a hospital chaplain
encounters on a daily basis. Songs like
“If I Die Young” by The Band Perry and “You Should Be Here” by Cole Swindell
really give voice to feelings of sadness when death strikes or people go
through hard times.
June 12, 1981 was a great day. I walked from the Upper Merion High School
building in line right next to my twin brother Mark to the football field where
the chairs were assembled for our high school graduation. This year is our 35th high school
reunion which historically meets in the fall around Thanksgiving. I don’t know if I am going to attend the reunion
but I have not made one yet so time will tell.
I was reminiscing with some of my fellow 1981 graduates on Face Book
about which songs would be our “1981 Theme Song.” I proposed the following: “All Good People” by Yes, “Carry On Wayward
Son” by Kansas, “Ramble On” by Led Zeppelin, “Starship Trooper” by Yes, and
“Solesbury Hill” by Peter Gabriel. The
post was well received and many enjoyed offering their song that would be their suggestion for “the
Class song” for our 1981 class. Talking
about music from the past continues to be a very strong connection for the
present and hopefully the future.
Feelings associated with past songs can find their way again into my
life as I listen, with new and more aged ears, on You Tube.
In 1977 I had a ticket in hand ready to see Led Zeppelin at 100
thousand seat JFK Stadium in Philadelphia.
That concert never happened when Robert Plant’s 5 year old daughter died
unexpectedly from an illness. I remember
being very disappointed that the concert was cancelled but of course that was
totally understandable given the tragic family event. As it turned I never did see Zeppelin in
concert. Music has always been an
important part of my life. In my
baccalaureate studies at Our Lady of the Lake I took a class with Dr. Sister
Jule Adele who was a Ph.D. in music history from Indiana University. The class was titled, “From Rock to
Bach.” I enjoyed it. Yes, a music class with a Ph.D. nun as
professor.
Each Sunday I have the choice of attending the traditional
worship service with hymns, anthems sung by the choir, and solos that are
slower than the very contemporary 10 piece band that leads worship at
11:30am. Both music programs in the
service touch my heart. Neither is
better than the other. Sometimes I just
plain enjoy seeing the drummer in the 11:30am service. He can really play. I find it inspirational for my soul and my
emotions. Both styles of music lead me
to worship God. That’s what music does
for me. It takes me back to God. It allows me to feel and know emotions I may
not know if the world was all spoken words without notes, guitar licks, drums
beating, and electric keyboards harmonizing.
Music is truly food for my soul.
No comments:
Post a Comment