Choral ~ General ~ with Keyboard
“How Can I Keep from Singing?”
(An arrangement of the popular song by Robert Lowry, 1869)
SOUND CLIP (of the version with original, religious text)
SOUND CLIP (of the version with revised, non-religious text)
SCORE SAMPLE (of the version with original, religious text)
SCORE SAMPLE (of the version with revised, non-religious text)
SCORING: SATB (some divisi), acc. by piano
DURATION: ca. 4:15 — DIFFICULTY: 3/5 — PAGES IN PDF SCORE: 11
COMMISSION INFORMATION: Commissioned by University of Wisconsin — Whitewater Concert Choir — Dr. Robert Gehrenbeck, conductor
Please note that this arrangement exists in two versions:
♦ A version with the original (religious) text
♦ A version with revised (non-religious) text
The music is the same in each version.
Please let me know which version you'd like.
HOW TO PLACE AN ORDER — PDF: $50 (for all the copies you need)
When ordering, please specify which version you'd like. You can peruse them both by clicking on "Text Info" below.
DESCRIPTION
This beloved song by Robert Lowry has the sound of a folk tune — simple, direct, and memorable. Lowry was an American preacher and popular writer of gospel music, including the famous “Shall We Gather at the River.”
My arrangement of “How Can I Keep from Singing?” seeks to highlight the gentleness and inward peace of the song, but in the last verse, the affirmation of “No storm can shake my inmost calm” shines forth with confidence and joy.
The words are as apt today as they were in 1869: They encourage us to sing on in the midst of any personal or global troubles. After all, the universal language of music has the power to heal us, and to unite us all in love. I hope that we will never keep from singing!
Please note that this arrangement exists in two versions:
♦ A version with the original (religious) text
♦ A version with revised (non-religious) text
The music is the same in each version.
TEXT INFO
How Can I Keep from Singing?
Version with original (religious) text
Words by Robert Lowry (1869), in the public domain
My life goes on in endless song, above earth's lamentation.
I catch the sweet, though far off hymn that hails a new creation.
No storm can shake my inmost calm while to that Rock I'm clinging.
Since love is Lord of heav'n and earth, how can I keep from singing?
Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear that music ringing.
It finds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing?
(Refrain)
What though my joys and comforts die? The Lord my Savior liveth.
What though the darkness gather round? Songs in the night he giveth.
(Refrain)
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart, a fountain ever springing!
All things are mine since I am his! How can I keep from singing?
(Refrain)
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Version with revised (non-religious) text
Words by Robert Lowry (1869), in the public domain.
Words revised by Peter Bloesch (copyright).
My life goes on in endless song, above earth's lamentation.
I catch the sweet, though far off song that hails a new creation.
No storm can shake my inmost calm while to my hope I'm clinging.
When love is shared through all the earth, how can I keep from singing?
Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear that music ringing.
It finds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing?
(Refrain)
What though my joys and comforts die? My love, it always liveth.
And if the darkness gathers round, my heart, a song it giveth.
(Refrain)
My peace and joy make fresh my heart, a fountain ever springing!
All things are mine since love goes on! How can I keep from singing?
(Refrain)
