Singing Pilgrims

[DLJ]

Just a comment on one of the small pleasure along the Camino. Once on the road, but at least 3 times in churches, not during any service, just stopping in for a visit or to get a stamp, Pilgrims started singing songs from the Mass, a cappello, it was truly a beautiful moving experience. In my experience they were French or German Pilgrims.

 

[Hobbyhorse]

Yes, wouldn't more of that be wonderful? We had the good luck to be upstairs on over-flow mats in the parrochial albergue in Longrono when a few French university students in the bunks downstairs prepared for 'lights-out' by softly sharing a Taize verse. The song drifted gently up the stair and created a vibe that was a perfect pilgrim lullaby. They gave us another gift when they sang among themselves on the road the next day.

I suppose most of us feel we can't sing well so we don't sing at all. But voices joined together always sound good to me!

 

[Mike Savage]

I too enjoy singing, others may not enjoy my singing as much as I do but it hasn't slowed me down too much though.

 

[movinmaggie]

Yes, wouldn't more of that be wonderful? We had the good luck to be upstairs on over-flow mats in the parrochial albergue in Longrono when a few French university students in the bunks downstairs prepared for 'lights-out' by softly sharing a Taize verse. The song drifted gently up the stair and created a vibe that was a perfect pilgrim lullaby. They gave us another gift when they sang among themselves on the road the next day.

I suppose most of us feel we can't sing well so we don't sing at all. But voices joined together always sound good to me!

Hi Hobbyhorse, I sing in a choir here in Victoria and we meet monthly for Taize. I actually thought of putting copies of a couple of them in my backpack; now perhaps I will. The 'chants' are very easy to learn even if you don't read music….how lovely it would be to sing with others on the 'way'….

 

[Patch]

I like to whistle, a lot of people don't appreciate it.....a pity ;-)

 

[DLJ]

Hi Hobbyhorse, I sing in a choir here in Victoria and we meet monthly for Taize. I actually thought of putting copies of a couple of them in my backpack; now perhaps I will. The 'chants' are very easy to learn even if you don't read music….how lovely it would be to sing with others on the 'way'….

Is there a link or how could I find a copy of the chants? When I was in grade school each grade was a choir; but the Nuns always told me, "Dave, you just hum." But, I think I am up to the chants now.

 

[movinmaggie]

Is there a link or how could I find a copy of the chants? When I was in grade school each grade was a choir; but the Nuns always told me, "Dave, you just hum." But, I think I am up to the chants now.

Hi DLJ, I'm not aware if any are on line in the public domain, I would go through my choir director and pay for the copyright fees to copy one or two of the ones we use, and could teach them along the way. I am solo, but I do hope to be sharing my walk with others. They are easy to teach. They are very short and with words, but the repetition and the meaningful words are more likened to soft chants. Others here might know of another option for you to find them.

 

[Hobbyhorse]

Here is an interesting bit from Taize itself on the subject of when/how copying is permitted and how it relates to the spirituality of the song-prayers. http://www.taize.fr/en_article114.html

It appears that there might be some sympathy for a non-commercial spiritual use preserving the integrity of the songs as printed, with requests being case-by-case.

And the site offers something about how to learn the songs, a helpful touch I haven't explored there yet.

I have no first-hand knowledge of this but the DLJ's question is a good one. I actually had another Taize encounter on the Camino, at the Tosantos parrocial albergue (one day's walk further beyond Granon) A young woman staying asked if anyone wanted to stay to sing after the group reflection/prayer in the hidden chapel. Everyone said yes - especially since most of us were older, it was a lovely thing to be invited by 'the young crowd' :>) She passed around copies of multi-lingual Taize words, which may have been in a small book, I don't recall. I wasn't clear on whether she was carrying them on her pilgrimage or whether they happened to be available through the parish or albergue. Although it was most likely her own, this ancient parish house/ albergue was a very happy, memorable experience. I would trade any hotel room for one of the mats on its floor and a seat at the communal meal. The informal little chapel was an intimate place were singing really seem to fit, when someone had the courage to encourage it.

 

[movinmaggie]

Here is an interesting bit from Taize itself on the subject of when/how copying is permitted and how it relates to the spirituality of the song-prayers. http://www.taize.fr/en_article114.html

It appears that there might be some sympathy for a non-commercial spiritual use preserving the integrity of the songs as printed, with requests being case-by-case.

And the site offers something about how to learn the songs, a helpful touch I haven't explored there yet.

I have no first-hand knowledge of this but the DLJ's question is a good one. I actually had another Taize encounter on the Camino, at the Tosantos parrocial albergue (one day's walk further beyond Granon) A young woman staying asked if anyone wanted to stay to sing after the group reflection/prayer in the hidden chapel. Everyone said yes - especially since most of us were older, it was a lovely thing to be invited by 'the young crowd' :>) She passed around copies of multi-lingual Taize words, which may have been in a small book, I don't recall. I wasn't clear on whether she was carrying them on her pilgrimage or whether they happened to be available through the parish or albergue. Although it was most likely her own, this ancient parish house/ albergue was a very happy, memorable experience. I would trade any hotel room for one of the mats on its floor and a seat at the communal meal. The informal little chapel was an intimate place were singing really seem to fit, when someone had the courage to encourage it.

How lovely for you. Yes, it is a small book that we use and I appreciate the link. Thanks. Maggie

 

[LakeMcD]

Hah, on a lighter note; We sang Abba, Sinatra, and Beattle tunes. everyone knows them in English.

 

[Anamya]

I met a Pilgrim in a small church after Portomarin who was singing "Donna Nobis Pacem". I started singing with her, and the sound of that was beautiful! She was German and I could not understand a word of what she said afterwards, but we were both really happy.

Along the way, I was singing "Into the Woods" quite often becuse I had watched it on the plane and it matched the scenario

 

[DLJ]

Here is an interesting bit from Taize itself on the subject of when/how copying is permitted and how it relates to the spirituality of the song-prayers. http://www.taize.fr/en_article114.html

It appears that there might be some sympathy for a non-commercial spiritual use preserving the integrity of the songs as printed, with requests being case-by-case.

And the site offers something about how to learn the songs, a helpful touch I haven't explored there yet.

I have no first-hand knowledge of this but the DLJ's question is a good one. I actually had another Taize encounter on the Camino, at the Tosantos parrocial albergue (one day's walk further beyond Granon) A young woman staying asked if anyone wanted to stay to sing after the group reflection/prayer in the hidden chapel. Everyone said yes - especially since most of us were older, it was a lovely thing to be invited by 'the young crowd' :>) She passed around copies of multi-lingual Taize words, which may have been in a small book, I don't recall. I wasn't clear on whether she was carrying them on her pilgrimage or whether they happened to be available through the parish or albergue. Although it was most likely her own, this ancient parish house/ albergue was a very happy, memorable experience. I would trade any hotel room for one of the mats on its floor and a seat at the communal meal. The informal little chapel was an intimate place were singing really seem to fit, when someone had the courage to encourage it.

Thanks, the Taize link is interesting. Although the singing I recall was probably not the short Taize songs, but songs related to the Mass. As they were sung in French and German, neither of which I speak, I don't know anything about them, but it was beautiful, and obviously memorable. Thanks again.