Jupiter Singin'

There's not enough people playing the really good music that's in the world. I love all sorts, from current pop (some) to bluegrass, from hymns to 70s rock, from folk and soundtracks to classical....and everything in between. When I have grandchildren in my car, I like to expose them to all manner of songs. Sometimes they like it, sometimes not. We talk about what the song is discussing or how it makes them feel. As of late, the winners have been the soundtracks to "Top Gun: Maverick" and "Rudy," along with the suite of pieces from Gustav Holst's 1916 "The Planets." Our wind ensemble (Carrollton Wind Ensemble) played some of the Holst a couple of years ago, and I fell in love with the complicated and rich tapestry of his compositions. I'm a barefooted country girl at heart, still wandering through this world picking up the wondrous pieces of artistic genius that drift across my path. How lucky I am, as are you, to live with so much beauty around us. So easy to forget it's right there within our grasp. 

It was on a recent weekend that two of our grandchildren were staying with me (Ken had to work). As we went about our errands, I played the Holst pieces, us all agreeing that "Jupiter" was our favorite. Fashioned after the Greek gods, Jupiter is jolly, boisterous and fun. At a long 7+ minutes, it never gets boring. For us flutes, it's nigh impossible to play with all the trills and runs. The brass play, answering the woodwinds with their pompous and proud postering. Then suddenly, in the middle of it, there is the loveliest hymn in the solar system: "O God, Beyond All Praising."  We sing this often at our church and I love the tune and the words. I heard it first on a Charlotte Church album, where she sang the original patriotic British version: "I Vow To Thee My Country." At that time, I knew nothing of Holst or The Planets. I just knew I loved the haunting melody and the noble words that plucked at my heart strings. Yes, there is music that makes you want to stand up and be brave. 

Maddie and Caiden loved Jupiter and we played it numerous times. After errands and lunch, they plopped in front of the TV to watch Bluey while I snuck in a nap on my recliner. Maddie piped up, "Yaya!! It's that song again!" They were playing the hymn from Jupiter, right there in a Bluey episode. We couldn't believe our windfall. Then it was time to leave for a wedding and we had to play it again on our way (children like grooves). Entering the lovely setting of the church -- fresh flowers and lovely young people were everywhere -- we sat quietly as the prelude played. When it was time to seat the parents and grandparents of the bride and groom, a now-very-familiar hymn began to play. I thought my two enthusiastic grandchildren were going to knock over their chairs. The weekend wound down and I met up with their Mama to deliver them. We told her about our musical escapades, laughed, and went our separate ways.

I know I shouldn't ever do this, but when my grown children text me during church, I can't help but look. During Sunday School, I got a message from my daughter-in-love. She and the children had gone to church that day with their Mimi. As they were sitting quietly during the prelude, Mr. Holst inserted himself into the hymnody. Maddie and Caiden squirmed and giggled as they pointed out the obvious. 

Why things like this line up sometimes, I'll never know. Maybe there's a divine intervention going on. I might need to print out the words of that hymn and get studyin'... Either way, my grandkids know a bit more of the delightful parts of life.