The opening song of the classic musical “Les Misérables” includes the haunting words:
Look down, look down Don't look 'em in the eye Look down, look down, You're here until you die
Every time you hear them sing: “Look down, look down” you can feel a pounding sledgehammer drive through your heart. Later a convict cries out: “I've done no wrong! Sweet Jesus, hear my prayer!” To which other prisoners reply: “Look down, look down, Sweet Jesus doesn't care”. Later in the dirge another convict asks: “How long, oh Lord before you let me die?” The other prisoners reply:
Look down, look down, You'll always be a slave Look down, look down, You're standing in your grave
These words are the words of loss, depression and no escape from their prison. Set in the first half of nineteenth century, Victor Hugo’s classic story deals with struggles: hatred v love; good v. evil; society’s failure to care for its weakest members; grace and mercy opposed to ignorance and greed. The words they sing are the words of those folks so deep in depression and so near to suicide that all they can hear is: “You’re here until you die. . . . You’re standing in your grave.” No hope.
Our world has struggled these last six months plus with an unknown virus that has caused fear, severe illness and death. We have been forced to stay in our homes and away from contact with other people. We work from home. We conduct business meetings, family reunions and even church worship services through the internet. The fear of the virus, the quarantine from un-digitized human touch, the nightly news broadcasting the violence in our city streets have all contributed to an increase in drug and alcohol abuse, physical abuse among families and the numbers of suicides in our society.
How can we lift ourselves and others out of these days of acute anxiety, panic and depression? The medical field offers drugs and other therapies. It is always good to have a confident with whom you can share your struggles. “Just don’t think about it,” is some’s advice. How have you kept above the waves?
I offer this humble suggestion: music, or more specifically, singing. Something happens to your heart, soul and spirit when you sing. Sing out loud. There is a power that can heal when you hear your own voice through your ears, rather than rattling around in your head. We, at times, may have to sing the sad songs – “Pass the tea and the sympathy. For the good old days are dead.” Sometimes you just have to get it out of your system.
The upbeat, positive songs will remind us of the brightness in life and will invites the soul to drive out the darkness of depression. I know it works, I have sung the grayness away. “I am a living legacy of the leader of the band.” I don’t know much of the current popular music, I love the old folk and gospel songs for driving the dark clouds away. “Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side. Keep on the sunny side of life. It will help us every day. It will brighten all the way, if you’ll keep on the sunny side of life.”
Singing retunes your focus. Those of us with faith in an Almighty God understand and trust in this refining. Singing songs of faith reminds us of our Father’s promises and “his power to make us what we ought to be.” Singing provides the power to “look up”. Sing out loud whether you are the only one in the room (car/atop the riding lawn mower) or not. Singing hymns and spiritual songs’ benefits are mighty.
You alone are my strength, my shield To You alone may my spirit yield You alone are my heart's desire And I long to worship Thee
As the deer panteth for the water So my soul longeth after Thee You alone are my heart's desire And I long to worship Thee
Songwriter: Martin J. Nystrom
Singing reduces stress, eases pain, confirms your trust, comforts, motivates and empowers. Prayer, meditation, medication can certainly help in lifting the human spirit from despair. But, for me . . . I like to:
Sing, sing a song, sing out loud, sing out strong. Sing of good things not bad. Sing of happy not sad
Sing, sing a song. Make it simple to last your whole life long. Don't worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear. Just sing, sing a song
Sing, sing a song. Let the world sing along. Sing of love there could be. Sing for you and for me
Sing, sing a song. Make it simple to last your whole life long. Don't worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear Just sing, sing a song Songwriter: Joseph G. Raposo