That was the hymn the band played while the Titanic was sinking. It is one of the most beautiful hymns ever written, in my opinion, and I’m sure it gave comfort to some of those who would not survive, especially to the brave members of the band. The courage it must have taken for them to be serenading death! Me? I would’ve thrown my instrument away, dressed up as a woman and looked for a lifeboat. I’m no hero, after all.
I’m not a religious person, as anyone who reads my articles can attest to, but there’s something about gospel music, hymns, cantatas, canticles, matins, that affects me deeply, moves me spiritually, not religiously, but spiritually. Christianity has inspired some of the greatest music ever written. From 11th and 12th century songs like “O come Emmanuel” and “Salve Regina” to the 17th and 18th century and Bach and Vivaldi to modern-day “Old Rugged Cross” and all the Christmas carols, especially the English ones.
Music is such an important part of our lives, I believe. It is something everyone, no matter their station in life, their age, or their geographic location, can enjoy and benefit from. It sometimes suspends wars and disputes and old grudges. During WWI, while the Germans and the British were killing each other in the trenches, they took time off one year to sing Christmas songs together on Christmas Eve! A brief respite from the choking on gas and hand-to-hand combat with bayonets. Bob Marley brought Manley and Seaga together at a concert to try and get them to unite Jamaica, at least for a little while.
My friend tells me that in his senior years he’s starting to appreciate classical music. I myself come from humble beginnings, but every night I fall asleep to classical music; it relaxes me, takes away my stress. I will always be grateful to Radio Belize for exposing and expanding my musical taste! That station gave us a dose of every form of music, even rap, when it was still reggae. “I love you, and not another. You may go, but I may never. My love is sharper than a razor blade, and it will never fade!” They were called versions back then, and eventually found their way to New York to became rap music and then hip hop.
For me, the greatest modern composer was Miles Davis. He made jazz soar to heights beyond his own imagination and gave us the boundless freedom to expand on his ingenuity. There have been many composers, including our own Belizean, Errollyn Wallen, whose Mighty River Symphonette was performed by the Asheville Symphony last year in North Carolina. I don’t believe many of us Belizeans are aware of her.
In my opinion, all music is good; some songs might contain terrible lyrics, but it’s still music, whether it came from Africa or Europe or the Indigenous peoples or the Caribbean, it’s music and it’s beautiful and so absolutely necessary, especially right now while the world and society are falling apart.
Like I’ve said before, I’m not religious, but those hymns and carols move me to positivity and tears and relief.
“Abide with me, fast falls the eventide
The darkness deepens Lord, with me abide.
When others fail and comforts flee
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.”
— Harry Francis Lyte and Will Henry Monk.
Glen