"How Can I Keep From Singing?"--Hymn of the Month, May 2007

UUP's Hymn of the Month for May is "How Can I Keep From Singing." However, you won't find it listed under that title in our hymnal, because of the lack of a title index. Instead, the hymn is called by its first line: "My Life Flows On In Endless Song." It is Hymn Number 108.

An old hymn, originally published in 1860, with words by Robert Lowry, and music by Ira D. Sankey, it was given a new lease on life in the McCarthy era by Doris Plenn, who wrote a new third verse to honor those who refused to sign loyalty oaths, and were, therefore, often punished.

When tyrants tremble, sick with fear,
And hear their death-knell ringing,
When friends rejoice both far and near,
How can I keep from singing?
In prison cell and dungeon vile
Our thoughts to them are winging.
When friends by shame are undefiled,
How can I keep from singing?

"How Can I Keep From Singing?" is the title of Pete Seeger's biography, by David Kay Dunaway.