This actually made me cry, because I was thinking very much of Charles... a man who, despite a capacity to be wonderfully silly, is possibly the most deeply sane and well-adjusted person I know, because he knows right in the depths of his soul that his gift is from God. That's not to say he doesn't work hard at it. He always turns up and does his bit, just like the lady said in the video. But at the end of the day he knows it's not his own.
And, yes, I have seen him become transcendent. I particularly recall him doing so in the Monteverdi Vespers in Portsmouth. Everything in the world seemed to disappear except his wonderful, wonderful voice.
And because he knows where that voice comes from, I wrote this acrostic for him:
Cantor sublime, whose sure and subtle tone Has infinite expression at its call And sets each listening heart in happy thrall, Rejoice, for yet this gift is not your own.
Lent for a while by God, whose generous hand Endows each soul with gifts for all to share, Such is the nature of your talent rare, Deep-woven in the paths that he has planned.
And so no burden shall it be to you, No arrogance upon your spirit weighs In spite of all the vagaries of fame:
Ever the heart that rules the voice rings true. Let then that voice, until the end of days, Sing praise and glory to his holy name.
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branchandroot
(no subject)
Date: 2009-11-24 11:31 pm (UTC)Olé!
This actually made me cry, because I was thinking very much of Charles... a man who, despite a capacity to be wonderfully silly, is possibly the most deeply sane and well-adjusted person I know, because he knows right in the depths of his soul that his gift is from God. That's not to say he doesn't work hard at it. He always turns up and does his bit, just like the lady said in the video. But at the end of the day he knows it's not his own.
And, yes, I have seen him become transcendent. I particularly recall him doing so in the Monteverdi Vespers in Portsmouth. Everything in the world seemed to disappear except his wonderful, wonderful voice.
And because he knows where that voice comes from, I wrote this acrostic for him:
Cantor sublime, whose sure and subtle tone
Has infinite expression at its call
And sets each listening heart in happy thrall,
Rejoice, for yet this gift is not your own.
Lent for a while by God, whose generous hand
Endows each soul with gifts for all to share,
Such is the nature of your talent rare,
Deep-woven in the paths that he has planned.
And so no burden shall it be to you,
No arrogance upon your spirit weighs
In spite of all the vagaries of fame:
Ever the heart that rules the voice rings true.
Let then that voice, until the end of days,
Sing praise and glory to his holy name.