Skip to main content

Crying lessons

Have you ever started to sing a song, perhaps a hymn or another favorite, and find yourself caught up in such a wave of emotion that singing is impossible? The tune that you adore can't be sung as your breath is hijacked from the emotion that just so happens to be pouring from your eyes?

I met a fellow this week that came to me for an answer to that question. Why do these hymns I love and know by heart always cut to the chase and bring tears to my eyes?

All I could say is that I've experienced this song/tears response as well. In fact, I had an unexpected experience with this "Pavlov's response" this past Sunday.

Before worship, we were practicing a song for the prelude that is called, "Love can build a bridge" by the Judds. For those that know it, you probably understand why it pulls on the heartstrings. I invite you to take a moment to watch this video for the song here:



This song is new to me and I may have heard it year ago when it first came out but last Sunday it's theme of connection, hope and the struggle for unity really hit home to the emotional shortcut that so often through the medium of music brings tears to my eyes.

In chatting with this gentleman about music and tears I asked if I could sing the chorus of this song with him. He graciously agreed and by the end of the verse we both had tears in our eyes.

Music helps to build a bridge to the tender parts of us that we try to put away. We want to be strong and at times tears don't seem to communicate strength in the way we'd most desire. But the truth is, that it is when we are vulnerable that we grow as people and become stronger.

I may not have a scientific answer as to why music and emotion run so close in our human experience - but I know that this phenomenon is one that I'm thankful for; tears and all.

PS. What song is your emotions shortcut that bring your own strong response? Feel free to share it in the comment section. Thanks.

Lyrics to Love can build a bridge by the Judds


I'd gladly walk across the desert
With no shoes upon my feet
To share with you the last bite
Of bread I had to eat
I would swim out to save you
In your sea of broken dreams
When all your hopes are sinkin'
Let me show you what love means

[Chorus]
Love can build a bridge
Between your heart and mine
Love can build a bridge
Don't you think it's time?
Don't you think it's time?

I would whisper love so loudly
Every heart could understand
That love and only love
Can join the tribes of man
I would give my heart's desire
So that you might see
The first step is to realize
That it all begins with you and me

[Repeat Chorus]

When we stand together
It's our finest hour
We can do anything, anything
Keep believin' in the power

[Repeat Chorus]

Love and only love
Love and only love

Comments

Bill Johnson said…
I have three (at least):

Alleluia, Jesus is risen!
To Be Your Presence Here
Hark, The Herald Angels Sing

Popular posts from this blog

SWB: Claustrophobia and clearings

Mary Lue shared her host post on business and rest for this weeks Sleeping with Bread Examen. Her words resonated with me in the fact that due to a significant staff change at my office, there is more work to be done and my plate is feeling fuller lately. There have been more meetings, and lots of talking and planning. For the most part, I've felt much more connected to people since I've become more involved in this way, but oddly when I'm done for the day or night - I find myself in need of some quiet. Maybe I'm still sorting and planning in the back of my mind, but silence (even my own) is something I find myself being more and more drawn too. It's like the extra noise, both internal and external, makes me feel claustrophobic . A few days after Christmas, I went into a game store with my son and was overwhelmed by all the noise and activity there. The store was tiny but filled with kids and their parents vying for their video game of choice. My head felt hot, my

Sunny and rainy day friends

There are two kinds of friends in the world: Sunny day friends and rainy day friends. This is a statement that my Mom used to remind me of when I was in the midst of drama or conflict with one school friend of another. There are lots of people that we define as friends, but they are really acquaintances. Two men were out hunting in the northern U.S. Suddenly one yelled and the other looked up to see a grizzly charging them. The first started to frantically put on his tennis shoes and his friend anxiously asked, "What are you doing? Don't you know you can't outrun a grizzly bear?" "I don't have to outrun a grizzly. I just have to outrun you!" This story is funny, but it does help define the distinct difference between a rainy day friend and a sunny day friend. The sunny-day-friend is more concerned with watching out for their own health and wellness, than their friends' wellbeing. On the other hand, a rainy day friend is willing to take risks, work fo

What Summer Camp Means to Me...

  I was around six-years-old when I first went to sleep-away summer camp.  At the time I lived in PA and the camp (through my church) was in Ohio. All school year, I attended Sunday School faithfully partially because regular attendance allowed my family scholarships to help with the cost of Summer Camp. Over the school year, I attended most Sunday's and by the end of the year, my little coupon book was full of stamps - providing me with a scholarship to attend a camp session. I provide this background on how I first got to go to camp, because it is an essential part of explaining what Summer Camp meant (and means) to me.   Going away to Summer Camp gave me a whole new experience of community. The whole process of going to and attending was the first times I experienced, "it takes a village", personally. From the Sunday School Teachers who drove a sedan full of kids to Ohio, to the counselors and staff who supported new campers: through the first 48 hours of homesickness