Digital Tradition Mirror

How Can I Keep From Singing

(This score available as ABC, SongWright, PostScript, PNG, or PMW, or a MIDI file)
Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available

How Can I Keep From Singing

(G) C F / C G / C F C / C G C /
     C - / C - / C F C / C G C

My life flows on in endless song
Above earth's lamentation.
I hear the real, thought 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 through the tempest loudly roars,
I hear the truth, it liveth.
What through 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?

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Pete Seeger helped to make this song fairly well-known in the
folk-revival.  He learned it from Doris Plenn, who had it from
her North Carolina family.  It can be found in SING OUT, Vol 7,
No 1, 1957.

Recorded by Ed Trickett on Turning Toward the Morning, FSI-56
DC

Thanks to Mudcat for the Digital Tradition!