Have you had moments in life where words aren’t enough? Maybe it was at the birth of a child, or the reality of a lifetime dream. Maybe it’s walking alongside a loved one through a difficult time, or attending the funeral of a young man. We experience moments when words aren’t enough. It is in these moments that I often find that music reaches where words cannot.
My two 17-year-old nieces went on a 3-week adventure in Europe this summer, traveling with 200+ of their peers, performing at cathedrals and outside amphitheaters. I had the incredible privilege of ‘learning’ their songs with them as they prepared for their Europe adventure. One of the songs they learned is called Music Speaks.
I have searched the internet high and low to find the lyrics for the song, but am only finding the chorus. The words of the chorus will give you a taste for what the song is about. The piano accompaniment, combined with the words, reaches the place within us that words aren’t able to. I share the words with you in hope that when those moments come, where words aren’t enough, we will be able to hear the music.
By rivers wide or ocean deep
In valleys green or mountain steep,
from open plains to snowy peaks
when all words fail,
still music speaks
May it be that for us. When words fail, when emotions run deep – may we find the music that still speaks.
15/10/2010 at 2:25 pm Permalink
There’s really two voices (I’ve shown the second’s solos in ALL CAPS):
Music Speaks
By rivers wide or oceans deep
In valleys green or mountain steep,
from open plains to snowy peaks
when all words fail, still music speaks.
A thought alone – A THOUGHT ALONE – is incomplete – IS INCOMPLETE-
and spoken lan-AND SPOKEN LAN-guage is too weak-GUAGE IS TOO WEAK-
When we can’t find the words we seek,
when all hope fails, still music speaks.
A song lives on when words depart
None can compare with music’s art
A message words cannot impart
Is heard when music moves the heart
A thought alone is incomplete
and spoken language is too weak
When we can’t find the words we seek,
when all hope fails, still music speaks.
When all hope fails, still music speaks.
15/10/2010 at 2:27 pm Permalink
oh wait, after moves the heart, it repeats in the second voice and at the very end it also repeats the word “music speaks”
15/10/2010 at 7:30 pm Permalink
Nick -
Thanks so much for sharing the rest of the words to the song. As I read the words for the entire song, I am reminded again of why I like the song so much. Thank you!