We Remember Them

We Remember Them

We remember them in the rising moon
We remember them in the mourning dove
When the waters rush upon the shore
We remember them, singing evermore 

We remember them in the blowing wind
We remember them in the rustling leaves
When the buds unfurl into the spring
We remember them, and we join to sing 

We remember them in the fallen tree
We remember them in the candle flame
When the blue of the sky opens wide
We remember them and keep their songs alive 

And they too shall live
As they are woven into us

We remember them in the rising moon
We remember them in the mourning dove
When the waters rush upon the shore
We remember them, singing evermore 

I remember you singing evermore... 

Words and music by Trish Bruxvoort Colligan
©2005 RainDancerMusic; Used by permission.
www.spirations.com   www.riversvoice.com

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This song was inspired by the Jewish prayer-poem of the same title:

At the rising sun and at its going down
we remember them.

At the blowing of the wind
and in the chill of winter
we remember them.

At the opening of the buds
and in the rebirth of spring
we remember them.

At the blueness of the skies
and in the warmth of summer
we remember them.

At the rustling of the leaves
and in the beauty of the autum
we remember them.

At the begining of the year
and when it ends
we remember them.

When we are weary
and in need of strength
we remember them.

When we are lost and sick at heart
we remember them.

When we have decisions that are
difficult to make
we remember them.

When we have joy we crave to share
we remember them.

When we have achievements
that are based on theirs
we remember them.

For as long as we live, they too will live,
For they are now a part of us,
as we remember them.

--From The Gates of Prayer

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We Remember Them is about one of life's greatest transformations: death.  Death can be a challenging topic to approach as we come to the table with so many different experiences and feelings about death.

 A tradition I've come to love over the last few years if called Day of the Dead. Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday remembering and celebrating those who have died. November 1st is a day of celebration reserved just for children, November 2nd is for adults. In our culture death and celebration may feel like an oxymoron (especially when we think of children dying), but in Mexico it is a head-stone scrubbing, gravesite-dancing, break-out-the-chocolate-
and-Bloody-Mary-mix event. Ah, and it is so remarkably life-giving and healing.

Why do they do this? It's quite simple, really. They do it to remember. What their culture gains in addition is an overall more integrated, less frightening experience of death. Or as this article says, there is an historical "understanding of the continuity of life."

To learn more here are some other really great pictures and stories about Day of the Dead that are well worth the visit.

I can't help but wonder how my own ideas about death would be different had I grown up in a culture that celebrated this ritual.

For the last few years, my husband Richard has been invited to provide music for the Day of the Dead Celebration at United Theological Seminary in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, his alma matter. Last year's celebration was particularly poignant for our family. Just a few weeks earler on October 4th, my aunt committed suicide. At age 50 she left behind a husband and two young daughters who were both engaged to be married.

When Day of the Dead rolled around a few weeks later our hears were still tender and fresh with grief. Though I wasn't able to attend the UTS Day of the Dead celebration with Richard, he took with him my aunt's funeral service bulletin and a photo to place on the community altar that the gathering would be creating together. On his drive back home, Richard and I chatted about the service.  He tried to remember a line or two from the Jewish prayer listed above: "We remember them in the rising moon," he said.

Anything with a moon reference immediately draws me in. As soon as we got off the phone I did an online search to see what I could find. Without any difficulty I located the poem and found the one line that Richard recited was not even in the poem! It did, however, become the first line in the song.

Writing We Remember Them was like a fast and furious birth. I dove in right away and finished it the next morning right upon waking. While pounding away on the piano I looked through tears at the autumn leaves and thought of my aunt and her family. I tried to recall every memory I had of my aunt, as well as the phone call from my mother the morning of her death, her funeral, and the conversations I'd had with family since. I played and I played, remembering the names of my own and other's deceased loved ones.

Often it is months or even years after writing a song that I will record it. But as it was with the writing, this song seemed to want to come right away. Richard and I went into the studio and recorded it a few days later. As soon as it was done I began emailing the MP3 and lyrics to anybody I thought might be even remotely interested.

The stories that came back to me were most amazing. I heard stories of the living who desperately fear death, afraid they will be forgotten. I got to "meet" departed children, parents, spouses and partners, pets, siblings, friends, and grandparents. Some of these departed were true beloveds, and others were disliked and even despised. The remembering was not always comfortable, yet it seemed to always bring a gift.

It is in this spirit of gifted remembering I offer We Remember Them in honor of all those with whom you have walked who are gone but not forgotten. May you receive just what you need for your healing.

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Comments

[Hotjobs]

Interesting site, always a new topic .. good luck in the new 2011. Happy New Year!

[Rental]

Hi Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

[Rental]

Hi Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

[school_dubl]

Hi Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

[Bette]

This song echoed so beautifully in my heart and soul! Loved hearing how the song was born. The Japanese also have a Day of the Dead. I think its in August? Anyway, your song "We Remember Them" would be perfect for the grieving group held at our church called "STARS" :)
Thank you both so much.

[Rena]

Dearest Trish,
Gassho! This song is so beautiful!! It brought me to good tears as I thought of those to "remember."