I did learn to sing

By Tom Ehrich 

I did learn to sing 

I don’t speak Swedish 

or Norwegian, on my grandmother’s side 

Or German, on my father’s  

Or any language other than English 

Having bought the fabled value of Latin and Greek  

For someone “going East” to college.  

But I did learn to sing 

In Latin, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Swahili, Hebrew 

As well as English in its many eras 

So when I came across “O Helga Natt” 

Sung by “Swedish Caruso” Jussi Bjorling 

I knew what was happening. 
 

It was “O Holy Night”  

A favorite of mine  

Despite countless schmaltzy renditions 

Its soaring chorus lifting me 

In any language  

On music’s stairway to God. 

Once it was “Silent Night” sung on my knees 

“Abide with me” in a Scottish lilt  

“Total Praise” at a Black church in Harlem 

Schubert’s throbbing "Credo”   

Gounod’s sudden “Hosanna!” bursting through me 

“Balm in Gilead” by a friend living the words. 

I can mark my life by its music 

By what I sang as step followed step  

And heard in a violinist’s aching harmonics 

I am reminded where and when 

And why and by whose favor 

And words and wishes 

Until I sing along in music’s one language 

And feel music’s passion 

As probing as ever  

Its fire as searing  

A flame always burning 

Peeling away my armor 

Making me whole 

Carrying peace in the silence 

And oneness in the chorus  

And trust in the God 

Who sang someone else’s tears 

Until I saw myself in that someone else.