Sing a Happy Alleluia for Babypalooza!

One of the treats, and challenges, of being a music minister in a place with such a wonderful history as Grace, is getting to know the choir library. Wanda, Elaine, and Lynn have ordered so many great pieces over the last forty years, plus all that came before them! Deb brought over the best of the BTSR library when that institution closed, I did the same with Chamberlayne Baptist’s. We have a lot of great music, that has been lovingly maintained by Linda Savelle, and others, over the years. 

This past Sunday, knowing that Psalm 66 would be read, I originally programmed a setting of that beloved text. Notes in the library told me it was last sung in the 80’s, and so I thought, “why not pull it out again.” Well, after a readthrough the first night of rehearsal, I decided maybe it needed to go back into the folder, and maybe we’ll learn it for another season. It was harder than I thought, and while hard can also be good, it needs to be balanced. I was back to the drawing board, and found something I loved among the BTSR files, Sing a Happy Alleluia, words by Shirley Erena Murray, music by Sally Ann Morris. Those are two names that I hope you recognize at this point. Shirley, a giant among late 20th century hymn writers, and Sally was just here a few years ago! You can hear Lynn read the psalm, and the choir sing our anthem, here:

https://www.youtube.com/live/3VZTSd-vYrw?si=0GXHIywIvTLMLJga&t=920

I want to share the text with you, because Shirley’s words reflect so much what I hope God’s sense of humor is like. Every time I read it, I find another reason to smile.

Sing a happy alleluia,

       sing it out with heart and style --

              we're the echo of God's laughter,

                     we're the image of God's smile.

Refrain:  Alleluia, all creation, alleluia, everyone!

              Alleluia, all creation, alleluia everyone!

We're the proof of God's good humor,

       we're the twinkle in God's eye,

              made to shine, reflect the glory,

                     given light and space to fly. (Refrain)

Sarah laughed at God's good timing,

       Mary sang and David danced,

              Jesus smiled and hugged the children --

                     so is life for us enhanced. (Refrain)

Every day sing alleluia!

       We are loved, though so absurd,

              human, foolish, chosen people,

                     God still takes us at our word! (Refrain)

I love how we reflect God’s humor with our own. I love any hymn that uses words like absurd, foolish, laughter. And on the day I have taken to call, “Babypalooza,” with the dedication of 5 children, what a day to remember “Jesus smiled and hugged the children.” 

This humor I hoped paired well with Theresa’s equally beautiful, and appropriately weighty, words on the responsibility we have to the children we call family. It was a joy to sing both with and for you.