Inspiring Stories #2

An Old Spiritual Hymn For Easter, sung by the Preacher's Son

It’s only Wednesday, and I’ve had so many inspiring moments with residents this week already.

Taking a moment to chat with the folks offers a precious opportunity to connect with history, and spend a few minutes in a faraway bygone time.

I met a man from Charleston, SC who told me all about his life. His mother was a Baptist and his father was an evangelical preacher who lived to 109! He had been a marine in Vietnam. Showed me the napalm burns on his leg. He told me that he played guitar, and country music was his thing. He requested “Country Roads” by John Denver, which we sang together. He told me about his life in the Deep South and the country music he grew up playing. He also wanted to hear “Coal Miner’s Daughter” which I will learn for next time. Then he began singing the most beautiful hymn, “Were You There”

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they nailed him to the cross?

Were you there?

Were you there when they crowned his head with thorns?

Sometimes it causes me to tremble

Ooh Lord tremble

Were you there when Jesus laid his head and died on that old rugged cross?

I asked if he would sing it into my phone. He raised his arms above his head when he sang it. Here you go.

“Were You There" is an African-American spiritual that was first printed in 1899. It was likely composed by enslaved African Americans in the 19th century. The song was first published in William Eleazar Barton's 1899 Old Plantation Hymns but was described in writings prior to this publication. In 1940, it was included in the Episcopal Church hymnal, making it the first spiritual to be included in any major American hymnal. Wikipedia

I drummed up more work in The Bronx. Did four free shows and two of the facilities have me in rotation already, both for one-hour shows and for strolling.

On Monday I strolled in a facility that had expanded medical capability, which is to say the residents received what seemed to be closer to hospital level care. In all the places I’ve previously worked, I’ve seen for ex. oxygen tubes that insert into the nose - but never feeding tubes directly into the stomach and tracheal tubes inserted into an opening in the throat.

Where I worked this Monday, I sang for no fewer than fifteen people confined to their beds with tracheal tubes inserted.

This was a first. Shocking, heartwarming, miraculous: a woman SANG with me who was saddled with this apparatus. We sang “Quisaz, Quisaz, Quisaz” in Spanish. I will never forget that.

Yesterday in one of my Crown Heights facilities, an unexpected explosion of happiness came upon us.

A woman who often doesn’t want to hear music decided to give me a chance. She’s younger, maybe in her early 50’s so I started playing Pharrell Williams’ “Happy”. I had just sang it across the hall where younger folks were visiting a resident. These ladies knew all the backing parts and we raised the energy up all over the place-- like a room without a roof!

“It might seem crazy what I’m about to say” I stayed in the hallway as her bed was right by the door.

Out of a room two doors down came one adorable little kid after another- I thought a whole kindergarten class was in there. Like a clown car… first three boys came out, all under age six. They started singing and grooving and showing us their moves! Then another one showed up - dancing! Then came three girls, all under age 11. One was holding a baby. The whole beautiful gang surrounded me and were dancing, clapping and singing along. The resident and I just dissolved in joy. I never wanted it to end, but when the song concluded, I asked them what brought them here. “We’re visiting Grandma. It’s her birthday!” I asked if they were cousins. “We’re siblings” they responded.

WOW - seven brothers and sisters, all connected in their powerful joyous expression, and how effortlessly they just popped out and shared with other people in Grandma’s place.

Life is renewing and exploding all around us, even in the most dismal environments. Happy Easter to you, Happy Passover. Wishing you a powerful springtime!