Why We Must Sing
It’s not that prayer is insufficient,
Or readings rote, devoid of spirit;
Nor that a sermon is deficient
When, without melody, we hear it.
It isn’t for the sake of being
Up in front, conspicuous;
Not for the knowledge all are seeing
Our dry-cleaned robes, meticulous.
It is because it stirs our soul
To start deep down inside the heart;
Conceive the notion, face the goal
And breathing deep, to make a start
Which shudders, passing through the chest
And takes on timbre, style, and rhythm;
Then issuing vocalizing’s best,
Declares to all our wordly schism.
“We are not of this world,” we sound,
“Though planted here, our home’s elsewhere;
And if we may appear earth-bound,
Pay heed to our singing: it’s heavenly fare.”