In scanning tonight's threads, the original thread topic was one that drew me- and so I just finished reading all the posts! How moving and empassioned your stories! Susan, your story about the deathbed scene of a friend brought me to tears, because, Sister, I DO understand. I sing Sacred Harp. I am also a Believer. People who don't understand, upon hearing our songs, are amazed that we sing such "morbid" songs about death, and often in minor keys....I cannot describe the joy that I personally feel as I sing these songs, [and besides that, they're really about Life!] but when I look around the square and see what appears to be the same joy on others' faces, I realize that there is a Truth here that surpasses understanding...and so for me, it's sing or bu[r]st!! If the rocks can cry out, then I must. To share a line from number 312, Sing to Me of Heaven, with y'all: "Let music charm me last on earth, and greet me first in heaven." Amen.

T.