A good friend of mine died yesterday. Not that we were especially close, she was just one of the kindest, warmest, must humble, and beautiful spirits to ever spend time on the earth. And everyone who knew her knew that about her. Her name was Luci Jo.

Among her other attributes, Luci Jo was a singer. No, you didn’t see her on stage or hear her on the radio. Hers was not a voice that made people stop what they were doing to listen. But one thing was beyond certain – she sang from the heart and from the soul with maximum exuberance. I identified with her in that because I too, since very early times, sing at my top volume and intensity in church – even if I don’t know the song very well. If I do know it and love it, watch out because there could be some ear bleedin’ before it’s all over.

One song I remember Luci Jo singing was “Church in the Wildwood” which was a perfect song for our little Linville Falls Community Church in Linville Falls, NC. It felt like the song was written especially for our church and congregation, and the fifty people or so commonly in attendance could shake the rafters with that hymn on a Sunday morning.

For me, the hymn that launched me was an obscure one that I first heard when I attended Catholic grade school – “Praise Ye the Father.” Sister Josina would pull out the stops on the old church organ, and it sounded like she was doing a victory march on the bass pedals. I doubted heaven could sound any better than that.

Until now. Another close friend, Pam Calloway, wrote yesterday in an email letting me know of Luci Jo’s passing, “What an addition heaven received this morning!”

I think we all have that hymn or spiritual that really does it for us for whatever reason. Click on the title of the post and share what that special hymn or spiritual is for you. – Bob Tatum

9 Comments to “SongTravelin’: 11.10.10 — What’s a Favorite Hymn or Spiritual for You?”

• November 10, 2010 at 10:19 am
  Bob says:

  I know the blog wasn’t completely about Luci Jo this morning, but in my heart it was. When it comes to living the Christian Life she was just all that. My condolences to the girls and their families. What a wonderful legacy each one of you is.
• November 10, 2010 at 4:37 pm
  Betty Hardin says:

  Thanks, Bob, for the beautiful tribute to our Luci Jo–I just wanted to say that she was truly a wonderful person who loved her family, community and church as much as a person could. She taught Sunday School forever, she sang in the choir and was always the first one to bring food and friendship in times of sorrow. I will miss her so much!! Betty
• November 10, 2010 at 9:56 pm
  Jerry says:

  Bob,You don’t know how much we miss you and hope to see you soon.You have really expressed how a lot of people fill about Luci Jo.She was a very bright light in our community and church,And will leave a void that will never be filled,God has a special Angel in Heaven with him now.The family will need al the prayers we can give to get through this.
• November 10, 2010 at 10:04 pm
  Pam says:

  If love could had saved Luci Jo, she would have lived forever. She was the most giving person I have ever known. I’m going to miss her beautiful smile and contagious laughter. She was a true friend.
• November 12, 2010 at 9:01 am
  Kay says:

  I keep thinking about the e-mail that Ed shared last year in a children’s sermon. A recently released song says about the same thing;

  I hear the many Christmas songs that I know you hold so dear,
  But the sounds of music can’t compare with the Christmas choir up here.
  I have no words to tell you the joy their voices bring
  For it’s beyond description, to hear these angels sing.

  I know how much you miss me. I can see the pain in your heart.
  But I am not so far away, we’re really not that far apart.

  So be happy for me dear ones (you know I hold you dear)
  and be glad I’m spending Christmas, with Jesus Christ this year.
• November 14, 2010 at 9:12 am
  Ken P says:

  My mother is healthy, but in many years to come I hope I can sing Will the Circle be Unbroken at her funeral…that is of course if I don’t pass away first.
• November 15, 2010 at 9:33 am
  admin says:

  Ken, I sang “Amazing Grace” among other songs for my father when he died. I rained tears, but I have never sung that song better. I believe my dad appreciated it. By the way “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” is an amazingly powerful hymn — your mom will glow in appreciation from whatever part of heaven she is in.
• November 24, 2010 at 6:12 am
  Marilyn says:

  Bob, I remember being with you, Sr. Josina, and the rest of the school at St.James music practice; being carried out of my seat with “Praise Ye the Father!” It was a victory march! My spiritual repertoire has evolved over the years, but I still return to songs from my tradition of origin that to this day change me. They are great sung a cappella or with my guitar. I don’t do this enough!!!
  I mention only three for the moment…What Wonderous Love Is This (though not the second verse so much), God Of Day and God of Darkness, and, a beautiful song for the Advent season about to begin, (but good for any time really,)
  My Soul in Stillness Waits. Thanks for your wonderful sharing in all the ways you do so well.
• November 29, 2010 at 9:03 am
  admin says:

  Thanks so much for sharing this, Marilyn. These times are important to me, and I am in contact with so few who actually shared these moments. I thought I might be the only one who felt that way about “Praise Ye the Father.” Thanks for reminding me of those other songs as well!