I’ve Got the Music In Me

Day three of Writing 101 asked us to write about three of the most important songs in our lives and why they are meaningful.

Now that Easter has just passed, a song that holds deep meaning for me is “In Christ Alone.” Although strong in my Christian faith, I still fall short every day. Too often I try to solve problems myself or needlessly worry about things that are out of my control.

A few years ago, when a particularly stressful work situation came up and I was literally alone, I stopped and gave it all to God. During the moments I prayed and asked God for help, I could feel the tension leaving my body. As I leaned on the Lord during that difficult time, I knew He was “my light, my strength, my song”…and in His power I would stand, as the lyrics state. Here are the first and last verses of the song.

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All,
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry, to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.

Six years ago on April 9th, I (re)met the man who became my husband in 2013. I thought for weeks to what song I would walk down the aisle at our wedding. I finally decided on an instrumental piano and guitar version of “Climb Every Mountain” from the Sound of Music. The musical is my all-time favorite, not just because of the incredible Julie Andrews and the talented cast, but what the message of the true story conveys. Here are some of the lyrics.

Climb every mountain,
Ford every stream,
Follow every rainbow,
‘Till you find your dream.

A dream that will need
All the love you can give,
Every day of your life
For as long as you live.

The third song that holds deep meaning for me, is from the beloved A Charlie Brown Christmas’ “Linus and Lucy,” by Vince Guaraldi Trio. The sheer happiness and joy that emanates from this song is really indescribable.It was 1968 when I first saw this show at Christmas time. The kids dancing were actually performing the popular dances of the day (1964)…the “pony” was one of them.

Who doesn’t feel like a child again when you hear this merry tune? And later in the show, Linus walks out on stage and proclaims the passage from Luke 2 to answer Charlie Brown’s question “Isn’t there anyone, who knows what Christmas is all about?” That never gets old.

Enjoy this Youtube version of Linus and Lucy and do a little happy dance today to celebrate your childhood!

What are your favorite songs and how do they make you feel?