This article first appeared in the May 2022 issues of our parish magazine.
That’s a big jazz-hands gospel-style “A-men!” It’s not a refined English “ah-men”.
This is a joyous song in the American gospel tradition. It encourages us to celebrate and give thanks for all the small blessings in life – a sunny day, the bus coming on time, righting a mistake. In global terms, we live very privileged lives. We are not in a war zone; we have a safe place to sleep every night; and despite the current financial climate, most of us have food in our cupboards and are able to heat our homes.
| Amen! When the clouds start to clear, sing Amen. When you’ve faced a new fear sing Amen, Amen. Count each blessing you find and then answer with a cry of Amen, amen, amen. Sing amen! |
| When the bus comes along sing Amen. When you’ve righted a wrong sing Amen, Amen. Count each blessing you find and then answer with a cry of Amen, amen, amen. Sing amen! |
| When you’re done for the day, sing Amen. When you’ve nothing left to say sing Amen, Amen. Count each blessing you find and then answer with a cry of Amen, amen, amen. Sing amen! Amen! |
I haven’t introduced this to our parish singing group – yet – but that could change soon! Meanwhile, here is the Sing for Pleasure Intermediate 2 conducting course choir that I conducted in November 2021: https://youtu.be/IFlRtdQHB9A
And remember, when we’ve run out of words, just keep singing “A-men!” Carol P
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 