Two Songs, and One More

Before she died, Momma and Daddy met with one of their friends, whom Momma had asked to do the music at her funeral.  She had most of the songs picked out already.

The processional was Safety Harbor (by Rory Cooney).  My brother, in the navy, always really liked this song, since he knew what it was like to sail home to safety.  Accompanied by Momma, my oldest sister sang it in high school.  It's always been in our family, and I've even played it at funerals before, occasionally. I have often thought about the meaning in the words over the years.  It's a song of peace and relief, which (I think) is how Momma felt before she died.

Sweet Vision! Bless my eyes! 

Land upon the western skies! 

Constant stars, I bid you rise 

over Safety Harbor.

Home, home! At last, becalmed! 

Far behind us screams the storm. 

Tattered canvas waves like arms 

greeting Safety Harbor. 

--

From the windows of the tower, 

where the beacon burns, 

Faithful friends at ev'ry hour 

watch for my return. 

--

Yours the calm and peace I claim 

When I face the waves and rain, 

When the searoad calls my name 

Out from Safety Harbor. 

Through the fearsome, foaming gale, 

When no spirit fills my sail, 

I shall see, though sight may fail, 

Lights of Safety  Harbor.

--

Where from windows of the tower, 

bright the beacon burns. 

Faithful friends at ev'ry hour 

watch for my return. 

--

Heart's haven, mem'ry's shore, 

Call me through the tempest's roar, 

Where the pilgrim sails no more, 

home to Safety Harbor, 

Where the pilgrim sails no more, 

Home to Safety Harbor.

The second song I wanted to share is the recessional: It's a Brand New Day.  Simple lyrics, yes, but this, too, is how Momma felt--her sending-away message to all those who love her. "There will be a new heart for every man like the flowers that bloom in early spring."  How fitting, since Momma's apricot trees were just blooming when she died.  Joy really is everywhere.

It's a brand new day, 

everything is fine
Though it may be gray, 

I want you to know

that the sun's gonna shine
And out of that sky, 

piercing every cloud, 

is our God on high!
There will be a new heart for every man

like the flowers that bloom in early spring
For every life there is a plan,

no matter what autumn breezes bring
So put away care, 

let freedom be yours
Joy is everywhere, 

joy is everywhere!
Let freedom ring, alleluia now
Everybody sing 

let your voices shout 

to the mighty King.

Finally, Taylor took Viv and me to a concert featuring Hey Marseilles, a fun band from Seattle that's touring in the New England area.  They really have a great sound--uplifting and energetic and all-around enjoyable! The last song they played was a great farewell song for a touring music group. I was particularly caught by the chorus: "On the way I will go where the days left to breathe are not gone, are still long, I am traveling on."  Here on the year anniversary of Momma's death, I feel like this is (in some ways) the attitude we should have--we must continue our own journey and not get "stuck" around loss or grief.  I'm not saying we shouldn't grieve, or that the grief won't last a long time, but we can't just stay there, wallowing in it.  We carry the memory with us always, but we will always have Hope, and so we continue on the way.

(don't take the lyrics too seriously in regard to this situation--it's the general feeling of the song that struck me as so fitting) :)

Rio

Hey Marseilles

Silhouette seasons and far-away reasons are all I have now
Borders can keep me if Rio will have me to dance and to drown
Take to the harbor like sails to set
Sleep for the evening in failed regret
Hold on to skylines of pale and coal
Clouds on horizons and love to grow old

On the way I will go 
Where the days left to breathe
Are not gone, are still long
I am traveling on

Love is a hazard in lower Manhattan
You cannot escape, and musn't be saddened
By men who abandon your eyes for another's
There are always Brazilian boys to discover

Set your sights straight now
Don't forget pain
Drink 'til tomorrow becomes yesterday
Think of the shorelines you have yet to see
Men who will hold you with eyes you believe

On the way I will go 
Where the days left to breathe
Are not gone, are still long
I am traveling on

On the way I will go 
Where the days left to breathe
Are not gone, are still long
I am traveling on