How Can I Keep From Singing
Arlo Guthrie & Pete Seeger Lyrics
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Above earth's lamentation.
I hear the real, thought far off hymn
That hails the new creation
Above the tumult and the strife,
I hear the music ringing;
It sounds an echo in my soul
How can I keep from singing?
What through the tempest loudly roars,
I hear the truth, it live'th.
What through the darkness round me close,
Songs in the night it give'th.
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that rock I'm clinging.
Since love is lord of Heaven and earth
How can I keep from singing?
When tyrants tremble, sick with fear,
And hear their death-knell ringing,
When friends rejoice both far and near,
How can I keep from singing?
In prison cell and dungeon vile
Our thoughts to them are winging.
When friends by shame are undefiled,
How can I keep from singing?
Arlo Guthrie & Pete Seeger's song "How Can I Keep From Singing" is a song that speaks about the resilience and steadfastness of an individual's spirit. The singer speaks of how their life flows on in an endless song, above the chaos and turmoil of the world around them. They hear a hymn that hails the new creation which is far away but very real to them. They can hear the music ringing, full of echoes in their soul, which is why they can't keep themselves from singing.
The second stanza of the song speaks of the truth that the singer hears through the tempest that loudly roars. They hear it clearly despite the darkness that surrounds them. The songs in the night give them hope and resilience. They cling to the rock with all their might, and nothing can shake their inmost calm or break their spirit. The singer acknowledges that love is the lord of Heaven and Earth, which is why they can't help but sing.
The last two stanzas of the song reflect the singer's acknowledgement of the power of music in the face of tyranny, fear, and repression. They sing, even when tyrants tremble with fear, or when people are imprisoned, or when their friends are facing shame. The song is a testament to the human spirit's ability to find hope, joy, and solace in music and to resist the oppressive forces that try to break it.
Line by Line Meaning
My life flows on in endless song
My existence continues in a never-ending melody
Above earth's lamentation.
Despite the sadness and sorrow of the world
I hear the real, thought far off hymn
I listen to the genuine hymn, even though it sounds distant
That hails the new creation
That celebrates a new beginning
Above the tumult and the strife,
Above the confusion and conflict,
I hear the music ringing;
I hear the music playing loudly
It sounds an echo in my soul
It resonates within me
How can I keep from singing?
How can I refrain from singing along?
What through the tempest loudly roars,
What loudly rages during the storm
I hear the truth, it live'th.
I hear the truth, it lives on
What through the darkness round me close,
What surrounds me in darkness
Songs in the night it give'th.
It gives songs of comfort in the night.
No storm can shake my inmost calm
No storm can disturb my inner peace
While to that rock I'm clinging.
As I hold onto that unshakable foundation
Since love is lord of Heaven and earth
Because love governs both Heaven and Earth
How can I keep from singing?
Why even attempt to keep myself from singing?
When tyrants tremble, sick with fear,
When oppressive leaders are trembling with fear
And hear their death-knell ringing,
And know that their downfall is imminent
When friends rejoice both far and near,
When friends rejoice, whether far or near
How can I keep from singing?
Why try to prevent myself from singing?
In prison cell and dungeon vile
Even in a dark, oppressive prison cell
Our thoughts to them are winging.
We send our thoughts to those who are there
When friends by shame are undefiled,
When friends remain pure and untarnished despite shame
How can I keep from singing?
Why would I stop myself from singing?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHAEL DAMIEN HEDGES, SALLY HERBERT, CAMILLA KERSLAKE, ROBERT LOWRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind