The best old song for COVID-19

My husband of forty years and I have had some new experiences dealing with anxiety while being shut down by this coronavirus, but we both settled with a hush when we listened to this magical melody:

There are two elements that make this web version of Appalachian Spring so special to me.

First, it’s the incredible persistence of Jeffrey Beecher, the principal double bassist for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. The Globe and Mail reported how Jeffrey spent 48 hours learning new editing software to share this version of Appalachian Spring with us all.

The gift in this musical effort from the TSO speaks of the selflessness we should all aspire to through COVID-19.

Second, the words this music evokes uncover a long forgotten treasure.

If you’re lucky enough to have been raised in a Christian home, or a home that was a fan of Celtic dancing, you may hear some lyrics from Lord of the Dance or Simple Gifts coming back to your memory as you listen to the TSO’s web version of Appalachian Spring.

Simple Gifts has words we need now for the road of restraint we are all travelling on:

‘Tis the gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free
‘Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right, 
‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gain’d, 
  To bow and to bend we shan’t be asham’d,
To turn, turn will be our delight, 
  Till by turning, turning we come ’round righ

Judy Collins sang those lyrics, too.

If Lord of the Dance comes to your mind, that is also good, as many authors and theologians ask us to see dance as a metaphor for our relationship with Christ.

We need our soul care in these times, thank you to the TSO for giving me a fresh new smile in that journey.