from the artist's Web site
How Can I Keep From Singing?
John Mccutcheon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 liveth.
What through the darkness round me close,
Songs in the night it giveth.
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?
John Mccutcheon's song "How Can I Keep from Singing?" is about finding hope, joy, and strength in music. The lyrics express the idea of being able to rise above the struggles and difficulties of life through the power of music. The singer's life continues to flow in endless song even in the midst of earth's lamentation. The music that he hears is far off, but he can still hear it clearly. The singer hears the music and finds an echo in his soul that brings him comfort and helps him to rise above the noise and strife of life.
The second verse of the song talks about how no storm can shake the singer's inmost calm while he is clinging to the rock of truth. The singer hears songs in the night that give him strength and courage. The singer finds that love is lord of heaven and earth, and because of this, he can keep singing even when the world around him is falling apart. In the final verse, the song talks about how even in the darkest moments of life, when friends are in prison, when tyrants are trembling with fear, the singer finds hope and strength in singing. The music that he hears in his soul helps him to rise above the difficulties of life and find joy and hope in even the most challenging moments.
Line by Line Meaning
My life flows on in endless song
My life seems like an endless song that continues to flow without any break or interruption.
Above earth's lamentation.
Above the sadness, mourning, or grief that exists in the world.
I hear the real, thought far off hymn
I can hear a genuine hymn that seems distant to me, and it fills me with hope.
That hails the new creation
That welcomes the arrival of a new beginning.
Above the tumult and the strife,
Above the chaos, and the conflict that exist in the world,
I hear the music ringing;
I can still hear the melody of music, despite everything that's happening around me.
It sounds an echo in my soul
It reverberates within me, sending echoes throughout my soul.
How can I keep from singing?
How can I resist singing or expressing myself when I'm filled with this much hope?
What through the tempest loudly roars,
Despite what my surroundings throw my way or shout at me,
I hear the truth, it liveth.
I can still hear the truth, even if it is difficult to hear amidst the noise.
What through the darkness round me close,
Even when everything around me is dark and difficult,
Songs in the night it giveth.
Music and hope fill the darkness, giving me something to hold on to.
No storm can shake my inmost calm
No matter what happens externally, my inner peace and calm remain unaffected.
While to that rock I'm clinging.
Because I cling to the solid foundation of my beliefs and values.
Since love is lord of Heaven and earth
Because love is the ultimate ruler of Heaven and Earth,
How can I keep from singing?
How can I possibly resist singing or expressing myself in such an empowered state?
When tyrants tremble, sick with fear,
When even the oppressors quiver with fear,
And hear their death-knell ringing,
As they hear the news of their inevitable downfall and the end of their oppressive reign.
When friends rejoice both far and near,
When I hear about my friends' victories, wherever they may be,
How can I keep from singing?
How can I resist singing or expressing myself in such a joyful state?
In prison cell and dungeon vile
Even when I'm confined to a dark and oppressive environment,
Our thoughts to them are winging.
I can still send out thoughts of support and love, even to my oppressors.
When friends by shame are undefiled,
When I see my friends remain righteous and uncorrupted, even in the face of great shame and disrespect,
How can I keep from singing?
How can I resist singing or expressing myself in such a proud state?
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: TRADITIONAL, DORIS PLENN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind