I began this week's Personal Playlist with "Amazing Grace", the central song of my entire life. Now I end this list with its bookend, another song that similarly speaks for my whole life, "How Can I Keep From Singing?" We heard it growing up on my dad's folk music records. We sang it around the campfire in girl scouts. I sang it in church with the choir. The first two verses have traveled with me throughout my years, sustaining me in song through life's ups and downs. The third verse was part of my childhood, then forgotten, then rediscovered lately, as we fight for our democracy. It's a good choice to end my Personal Playlist. "My life flows on in endless song, Above Earth's lamentation. I hear the real, though far off hymn That hails the new creation. Above the tumult and the strife I hear the music ringing. It sounds an echo in my soul. How can I keep from singing? What though the tempest loudly roars? I hear the truth, it liveth. What though the darkness round me close? Songs in the night it giveth. 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? When tyrants tremble, sick with fear, And hear their death-knell ringing, When friends rejoice both far and near, How can I keep from singing? In prison cell and dungeon vile, Our thoughts to them are winging. When friends by shame are undefiled, How can I keep from singing?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH72dgNSAsw #JukeboxFridayNight #PersonalPlaylist