When was the last time you felt music weave through your soul and lift your heart? For me, it happened yesterday.

The weather loomed gray and forbidding; darkening clouds hovered, punctuated by flashes of distant lightning. A group of mourners gathered around a casket suspended above a freshly dug grave. And the graveside service began. This setting didn’t seem quite appropriate for the deceased, Mrs. Phyllis Rohlwing, who had been such a vibrant, talented, and loving lady who was finally taken as she approached her 90th birthday. Would the service of the celebration of such a life end in darkness, rain, and gloom? Then came the first clear notes sounded by Patty’s silver trumpet, followed by voices singing the following:

You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord,
Who abide in His shadow for life,
Say to the Lord, “My Refuge,
My Rock in Whom I trust.”

And He will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand.

You need not fear the terror of the night,
Nor the arrow that flies by day,
Though thousands fall about you,
Near you it shall not come.

And He will raise you up on eagle’s wings,
Bear you on the breath of dawn,
Make you to shine like the sun,
And hold you in the palm of His Hand. (From “On Eagle’s Wings” by Michael Joncas)

And somehow, the mood shifted. Sure it was somber, sure there was grief, but a whisper of hope and promise also sounded. The rain held off and the service ended reverently as it had begun, with trumpet notes sounding over a city of bodies whose spirits had moved on.

Yesterday, Patty and I had the privilege of playing music at the memorial service for Phyllis Kunze Rohlwing, Patty’s great aunt. The service was touching and beautiful, with family and friends providing eloquent testimony to the remarkable woman whose body was laid to rest. And how great it was to share music — magical and comforting music – with people who must begin a new verse in their lives. And I thank God and Phyllis’s family for allowing Patty and me to share our gift. – Bob Tatum

Thanks to all of our friends who came to see us at the Brevard Art Museum. Nearly 300 people participated in the event. Thanks especially to Tina for inviting us and to Scott for the cool pictures he took there. We’ll try to get them on the Facebook page soon.

To respond to this post, click on the title, scroll down and share your thoughts, ideas, and memories.

3 Comments to “SongTravelin’: 01.11.11 – Music for When the Sky Is Dark…”

• January 11, 2011 at 9:09 am
  Mark says:

  I find that for me, music at funerals makes me thoughtful. I think about people I’ve known and lost. I think about people I still have that I should be more attentive to. Music helps me to get out of my sadness a little bit and into these other thoughts.
• January 11, 2011 at 10:38 pm
  Patty says:

  Bob, I wish I had your gift with words. I enjoy all of your entries, but this one is especially beautiful. My family thanks you for sharing your talent with us. Your musical arrangement of “The Lord’s Prayer” is the most moving that I have ever heard, and I feel so honored to sing harmony with you on this song.
  Aunt Phyllis would’ve loved it, I’m sure. Actually, I’m sure she did because she must have been listening.
• January 12, 2011 at 8:15 am
  Bob says:

  Thanks, that means a lot to me. Relationships are fragile, and families are precious. Now we share both bonds.