Anthem Spotlight: How Can I Keep From Singing?-5.8.25

How Can I Keep From Singing? is a Christian hymn that evolved into an American folk song. The original melody was written in triple meter by Robert Lowry, and the lyrics were attributed to someone known only as Pauline T. For many years, the song was associated with the Quaker movement. While it was originally penned for a Baptist hymnal, the Quakers embraced the song and altered the lyrics over the years to distance them from their original Christian intent. A verse was also added that referenced ‘solidarity in the face of oppression.’

Inspired by Psalm 96, the hymn was included in many different hymnals of various Christian denominations as "My Life Goes On." Sometime around 1950, Doris Plenn removed one of the original verses and wrote a new one that was more aggressive in challenging authority. It came to the attention of Pete Seeger and other folk song artists, who often supported left-wing causes of that generation. Over the years, many of the original lyrics continued to be changed, and the song evolved as part of the folk song tradition in the 1960s.

St. Peter’s Choir will sing a version arranged by Craig Courtney. No credit is given to Pauline T., but rather, the music and lyrics are credited to Robert Lowry. The song is no longer in triple meter; it has been converted to quadruple meter, but the melody and harmonies remain the same. The verses have been scrambled and combined, and the ending is a fade-out rather than a full proclamation of joy. Knowing that we all have the peace of Christ, how can we help but keep singing?