Why All This Music? (& A Free Song)

Social media has its problems, but also its gifts.  

Today:

A tweet from Image Journal

mentioned a tumblr post from Alissa Wikinson

which featured this wondrous poem from Gregory Orr ...

To be alive: not just the carcass
But the spark.
That’s crudely put, but …

If we’re not supposed to dance,
Why all this music?

- Gregory Orr, from Concerning the Book that is the Body of the Beloved

photo of Bethany Arends taken by Matt Kennedy

"If we're not supposed to dance, why all this music?" 

I tried to write a song about that once.  Maybe in some way all of my songs are about that.  But right now, one in particular comes to mind.  I'll give it to you free if you promise to dance.  Deal?

Here's the lyric.  [You can listen to the song by pressing the play arrow below, or download it for free (forever and ever!) by clicking on the attachment at the bottom.]

May You Live
Carolyn Arends 

If there is a cup of life
And we each get our quotas
May you drink yours down, pass the rest around
And not waste one iota
And if there is a winding road
And mountains meant for climbing
May you be strong and brave, and constantly amazed
By every new horizon

And may you live
All the days
Of your life
May you live
All the days
Of your life

And if our days make up a dance
Then have no hesitation
Turn the music loud and send a crowd
Of friends your invitation
And if it’s true that love's a song
We sing in joy and sadness
Then may your song be sung at the top of your lungs
And may it bring you gladness

And may you live
All the days
Of your life
May you live
All the days
Of your life

That you lived
All the days
Of your life
May you live
All the days
Of your life

© Running Arends Music (SOCAN) 

From the recording Under the Gaze by Carolyn Arends

Enjoy the music!

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