Your Song

How long has it been since your soul was so full and overflowing that you simply had to sing? Yesterday? This morning? Last year? Never!? Well, for me, it was this morning. And Why? Why, because of the touch (though from miles away) of another, of course!

And this is how it has been for me for as long as I can remember. When I am stirred, I sing. I recall my daughter declaring “You are depressed! Whenever you are depressed, you sing.” And I thought, at the time… and again, now… how very sad that she has only experienced and observed my singing in a setting that spawns depression. How unfortunate that she was not with me in the isolated moments when I was given cause to sing for joy. If only she could know the exuberance of my song when I was first presented with what has become my soul’s theme song. I recall, quite vividly, opening the envelope and finding within, the three-by-five index card with the lyrics typed as an expression of the feelings of the presenter. How I did sing that song… over and over… that day, and for many days to follow!

And, again, as I went about my work this morning, I found myself singing that very song. Freely and with complete abandon, I styled, modified, varied, and adjusted the tempo, key, even some lyrics, to my immediate taste. And, with unabashed gusto, I sang out my challenge to the early-morning chorus of birds. “Stand aside boys… you have competition this morning! And I sang.”

So, the question arises… What is, or would be (if you were so inclined) your soul’s theme song? What melody would carry your spirit in a comfortable representation of your spirit’s fondest emotion? What lyrics would translate the message of your heart into the atmosphere? And when will you be singing it next? And what are you doing… right now… to bring that to pass? All worthy considerations as you and I share in that song made famous by the New Christy Minstrels in 1964, and was given to me on that little index card that, over the course of many years, became worn to the point of disintegration. Here are the words to “Today”… as I bid you the very best of your Today.

Today
Words & Music by Randy Sparks
Recorded by New Christy Minstrels, 1964 (#17); From the movie "Advance to the Rear"

Today while the blossoms still cling to the vine,

I'll taste your strawberries, I'll drink your sweet wine;

A million tomorrows shall all pass away

Ere I forget all the joy that is mine today.


I'll be a dandy and I'll be a rover,

You'll know who I am by the song that I sing.

I'll feast at your table, I'll sleep in your clover,

Who cares what tomorrow may bring.


Today while the blossoms still cling to the vine

I'll taste your strawberries, I'll drink your sweet wine;

A million tomorrows shall all pass away

Ere I forget all the joy that is mine today.



I can't be contented with yesterday's glories,

I can't live on promises winter to spring.

Today is my moment and now is my story --

I'll laugh and I'll cry and I'll sing.


Today while the blossoms still cling to the vine,

I'll taste your strawberries, I'll drink your sweet wine;

A million tomorrows shall all pass away

Ere I forget all the joy that is mine Today.





IMAGES: (Rose Vine) Univ. of Chicago; (Strawberries) Christine's Pies; (Wine) Earth's Best E Books; (Feast) National Maritime Museum; (Clover) Roundrock Journal