Music When I am slipping away from earth and drawing near to heaven, what sort of music would I like to hear? From earliest times, bards were called to play music at the bedside of a person in crisis or at death s door. Or perhaps a soul friend or group of singers would chant or sing over a dying person. Such music can soothe, assure, uplift and carry the person over to the next shore. Welsh harpist Annie Mawson was singing in Welsh to a sick child in hospital when a man who was visiting his dying father asked her if she would sing in Welsh to him as he entered his last hour or two. She was happy to oblige. On another occasion, Annie was playing the harp at the little chapel of St Cedd at Bradwell on Sea, Essex, after a great gathering at which Cardinal Basil Hume had spoken. He came in to rest because, unknown then to her, he had inoperable cancer. He said he would like her to sing for him and, knowing of his love of the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, Annie sang words by David Adam, which she entitled Home Thoughts from Lindisfarne : Lord, there are times when I need to be an island set in an infinite sea, cut off from all that comes to me but surrounded still by thee... 156 This page can be downloaded at www.kevinmayhewltd.com/resources
Full tide, ebb tide, let life s rhythms flow. Ebb tide, full tide, how life s beat must go. 1 What kind of music would you like during your last weeks or at your funeral? There are several ways of looking at this. We might choose whatever happens to be our current top of the pops. That may be fine if we die quickly, but will we still like it when it has faded from the charts? Also, supposing we are often on a high, or have an addiction, will we want music that plays to these things, or music that plays to a phase in our journey which involves us being weaned onto something more eternally real? Often people choose a pop song from a decade which was a happy time for them. Many pop songs are about love. They express our heart s desires. As we grow weaker, the barriers which prevent us living from the love within us can seem less important. We might choose music that we liked at an important early stage of our life. The following story explains why this can be opportune. A regular visitor to a geriatric man in a nursing home was told one day that the old man could no longer respond to anyone. His brain and his awareness seemed already dead, even though he could breathe and eat. The visitor at first resigned herself to a lack of communication, but then she remembered that the old man had once talked about his youthful tastes. She acquired some This page can be downloaded at www.kevinmayhewltd.com/resources 157
music from that period and played it at his bedside. Gradually recognition, then movement, then limited speech returned to the old man. That music evoked memory, meaning and movement. It was truly music at midnight. We might choose music that has already passed the test of time for us music that we have enjoyed over a long period. We each focus on different aspects of life. One friend of mine focused on gratitude for the life he would soon be leaving. What a Wonderful World was his choice of song. Another person focused on the world she hoped for her children. Her choice was Dvo rák s New World symphony. Some of us are more inclined to focus on the glory that awaits us. I think, when I am fading, that I would like the background music of Handel s Hallelujah Chorus, and the air that follows it. Hallelujah: for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, Hallelujah! Then comes: I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the last day upon the earth; and though worms destroy this body, 158 This page can be downloaded at www.kevinmayhewltd.com/resources
yet in my flesh shall I see God. For now is Christ risen from the dead, the first fruits of them that sleep. John Bell, of the Wild Goose Resource Group, has produced a CD and book of beautiful music for the Last Journey. It includes this song. From the falter of breath, through the silence of death, to the wonder that s breaking beyond; God has woven a way, unapparent by day, for all those of whom heaven is fond. From frustration and pain, through hope hard to sustain, to the wholeness here promised, there known; Christ has gone where we fear and has vowed to be near on the journey we make on our own. From the dimming of light, through the darkness of night, to the glory of goodness above: God the Spirit is sent to ensure heaven s intent is embraced and completed in love. 2 Requiem masses have been put to music by many of the greatest composers. Living composers, such as John Tavener, provide music with a mystical quality. His Song for Athene was sung at the funeral of Princess Diana: This page can be downloaded at www.kevinmayhewltd.com/resources 159
Alleluia. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. Remember me, O Lord, when you come into your kingdom. Give rest, O Lord, to your handmaid, who has fallen asleep. The choir of saints have found the wellspring of life, and door of paradise. Life: a shadow and a dream. Weeping at the grave creates the song: Alleluia. Come, enjoy the rewards and crowns I have prepared for you. If we can sing or play an instrument, there might be a final song we ourselves wish to offer. On her CD Angel Voices Ever Singing, Annie Mawson includes a song called David of the White Rock, which imagines King David of the Bible, who played his harp to bless others when he was young, sensing that angels were calling him to play his harp once more before he died. He sang these words. Bring me, said David, the harp that I adore; I know that death calls me to play it once more. I long to touch my beloved strings again: on widow and children God s blessing remain. Last night the voice of an angel did say: come home, O David, for I hear you play; above my youth and your music adieu: widow and children God s blessing on you. 160 This page can be downloaded at www.kevinmayhewltd.com/resources
In the light of what I have written above, think about the music you would like before you die. Write down below the title of a song or piece of music that conjures up something familiar or loved, which you would like someone to sing or play for you when your midnight approaches. I would like to hear this music before I depart: This page can be downloaded at www.kevinmayhewltd.com/resources 161