The Power of Music

On Sunday, March 27th, the choir and I sang You Raise Me Up (with Be Still My Soul) arranged by Tom Fettke. I played that song on the flute a few years ago and liked it a lot then. When our director told us that we were singing it, I was really excited! We practiced it numerous times and then, on Sunday, we finally performed it in front of the congregation. It was then that I realized how incredibly powerful music is to me...

We were standing up in the choir loft, and the congregation was eagerly staring at us, waiting for us to begin. Then, the pianist began to play and we started out the song by singing Be Still My Soul. We sang that part perfectly and the pianist started to make the transition into You Raise Me Up. As we started to sing the first few words, something happened. I got goose bumps, even though I wasn't cold, and my hands started to shake, even though I wasn't nervous. Once we got to the chorus, all of these unusual feelings got twice as strong! Then, the light started to stream in from the stained- glass windows and I felt like the heavens were telling us they could hear our song and were thanking us. That's when I realized how powerful that song and music in general was. It was AMAZING!!!

So now that is, by far, my favorite Christian church song. Here are the lyrics to the version of the song we sang. Read them and I am almost sure that everyone will know what I am talking about. The words are so powerful and I feel like everyone can relate to them in some way...

Be still my soul, the Lord is on your side
Bare paciently, the cross of grief or pain
Leave to your God, to order and provide
In ev'ry change, he faithful will remain

Be still my soul, the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled, them while he dwelt below
...
When I am down, and oh my soul so weary
When troubles come, and my heart burdened be
Then I am still and wait here in the silence
Until you come and sit a while with me
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when, I am on Your shoulders
You raise me up, to more than I can be
There is no life, no life without its hunger
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly
But when you come, and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes I think I glimpse eternity

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seasI am strong when I am on Your shoulders
You raise me up, to more than I can be
(key change)

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on Your shoulders (Your shoulders)
You raise me up, You raise me up, You raise me up, to more than I can be