my theme song - "Blessing"

Today's biking conditions were ideal summer weather! Our Midwest foliage has a deep green color from yesterday's rain. My odometer reached 500 miles in 2010.

I left car at home, and got to carpool and evening choir. The last ride was at sunset... near-full moon rose in SouthEast, and ahead the Western sunset was painted with rich colors of blue, orange and dark purple.

It sounds like summer from the bird sounds, and feels like summer when I ride through a valley, and feel the cool air settling down in the warm summer evening.

Tonight, our choir director, Scott Lehrke, handed out the song "Blessing". For many years, he's begun a tradition having our choir finish the year with this beautiful St. Olaf College song. It's based on the Irish Poem, and the tune is soothing and warm. I love the lyrics because it links several of my hobbies: Gardening, bicycling, my religion, music, family and friends.

This is Scott's last year as our director. I thank him for his inspiring leadership in music, his mastery of piano, and how he links our religious and seasonal themes to meaningful lyrics.   "Blessing" is in my favorites!   Pat


BLESSING

“May the road rise up to meet you;
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields,
Until we meet again, my friend,
until we meet again.
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields,
'Til we meet a-gain, we meet again!
May God hold you in His hand.


Text: Irish Poem. Copyright 2000, by Katie Moran Bart, St. Olaf student.
Neil Kjos Music Company.
(Dedicated to Alice Larsen, and the St. Olaf Manitou Singers.    Scott told us Ms Larsen directed this choir in the 1980s & 1990s. Katie was lonesome for home, and the faculty encouraged her to write music.  This song was sung by their choir very frequently.)