Music to Our Ears

Back in October, it was an absolute delight to accompany the East Knoyle Village Choir on their rendition of Abba’s ‘Fernando’. I had been initially hesitant and rather nervous, since my rhythm and timing are often ‘dodgy’, to say the least, but I was really well tutored by Louise Brown and Rachel Naish, and found the whole evening a thoroughly joyful experience.

Having learnt the flute as a teenager, I barely played for years until I became a curate in Bedfordshire. Visiting the local care home I was struck by the isolation of those residents whose needs were such that they were unable to leave their rooms to join any of the communal activities. With many of them conversation was difficult, so I began to take my flute and to play for them. When I knew they had been church-goers I would play traditional hymns, the familiar tunes often stirring some deep memories and causing them to join in, tap a beat or hum along. It chimed with a beautiful observation by the poet, Robert Browing: “Who hears music, feels his solitude peopled at once.”

Since moving to Wiltshire, I have been to Hays House regularly and have visited one particular lady for all the four years I’ve been here. She is increasingly confined to bed, though impressively positive and good company. I asked what her favourite hymn was and, being of a Salvation Army background, she immediately requested ‘Onward Christian Soldiers, marching as to war’.

This has never been a favourite of mine – such ‘muscular’, militant Christianity is not really my cup of tea; but this lady continues to request it every time I visit, so I am growing to love it. She lies flat in bed, singing along with surprising strength and volume, still knowing every word and duetting with me delightfully. One carer stopped to applaud last time I was there. She is fighting her own battle, with ageing and loss of ability, but doing it with such stoicism, bravery and trust. She clearly draws strength from the hymn’s promise that the ‘cross of Jesus’ is ‘going on before’.

The composer Frederick Delius commented that “Music is an outburst of the soul.” I certainly thank God for music, in all its moods and meanings – from ‘Fernando’ to ‘Onward Christian Soldiers’ – for its power to give expression to our feelings and faith, and its deep power to connect our souls to others.

Revd Kate McFarlane