Clark grew up in Texas, where she attended the Hockaday School, an all-girls school in Dallas, Texas. She also attended the Interlochen Arts Academy, before whisking off to Yale University (graduated in 1982), where, at the age of eighteen, she sang the role of Mabel in Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera The Pirates of Penzance. She also sang the title role of Gilbert & Sullivan's Patience and directed a production of Ruddigore for the Yale Gilbert & Sullivan Society. After college, Clark continued to direct shows. She currently teaches voice in addition to performing.
Clark's stage work previous to The Light in the Piazza (2005-06) includes roles in the Broadway musicals Urinetown (2003), Cabaret (1999-2000), Titanic (1997-99), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1995-96), A Grand Night for Singing (1993-94), and Guys and Dolls (1992-93), as well as numerous roles Off-Broadway and in regional theatre. Clark has also been seen in films and in roles in television episodes and appears on a number of Broadway cast albums and other recordings.
She appeared as ex-showgirl Sally Durant Plummer in the Encores! staged concert presentation of Follies in February 2007 at City Center.
How Can I Keep From Singing
Victoria Clark Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Above earth’s lamentation
I hear the clear 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 heaven and earth
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?
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?
How can I keep from singing?
The lyrics of Victoria Clark’s song, “How Can I Keep From Singing?” speaks of a life that moves on endlessly despite the sorrows and hardships in the world. It highlights the power of music to transform one’s perspective into a more positive outlook on life, and how love is the driving force that inspires one to keep singing despite the odds. The first stanza of the song describes a life that is not brought down by the sadness and pain that comes with living in a broken world. Instead, the singer can hear a melody in the distance that heralds the coming of something new and beautiful.
The second verse of the song speaks of the singer’s unshakeable inner calm, despite the storms of life that they have weathered. Here, the lyrics convey the idea that no matter what happens in life, the singer will find security in the love of God, and this will always inspire them to keep on singing. In the final verse, the singer affirms that they cannot help but sing, as their soul is awakened by the music that is being played around them. To them, singing is not an option but a natural response to the beauty and love that surrounds them.
Line by Line Meaning
My life flows on in endless song
My life continues to move forward, with a continuous stream of music.
Above earth’s lamentation
Above the sorrow and grief that exists on earth.
I hear the clear though far off hymn
I can hear a hymn, even though it may be far away.
That hails a new creation
The hymn is calling forth a new creation.
No storm can shake my inmost calm
Even with the turmoil around me, I am deeply calm and serene.
While to that rock I’m clinging
I am holding onto a rock, which provides me strength and stability.
Since love is lord of heaven and earth
Love has complete sovereignty over everything in heaven and earth.
How can I keep from singing?
Given all of the beauty and love in the world, how could I not sing out in joy and gratitude?
Through all the tumult and the strife
Even as I endure trouble, conflict, and confusion.
I hear that music ringing
I can still hear that music echoing within me.
It finds an echo in my soul
That music resonates with my innermost being.
How can I keep from singing?
Again, given all that is good in the world, how could I not sing and celebrate life?
No storm can shake my inmost calm
Still, even in the midst of hardship, I remain deeply calm within.
While to that rock I’m clinging
As long as I seek out strength and stability in my life.
Since love is lord of heaven and earth
Because love reigns supreme over all.
How can I keep from singing?
I can't keep from singing - the beauty I see and experience compels me to sing out and celebrate life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CAMILLA KERSLAKE, MICHAEL DAMIEN HEDGES, ROBERT LOWRY, SALLY HERBERT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind