How Can I Keep From Singing

My life flows in endless song,

above earth's lamentation,

I hear the real though far off hymn,

that hails a new creation.

No storm can shake my inmost calm,

I hear the music ringing,

It sounds an echo in my soul.

How can I keep from singing?

When tyrants tremble, sick with fear,

and hear their death-knells ringing,

When friends rejoice both far and near,

how can I keep from singing?

In prison cell or dungeon dark,

our thoughts to them are winging,

When friends by shame are undefiled,

how can I keep from singing.

What though the tempest 'round me roars,

I know the truth, it liveth.

What though the darkness 'round me close,

songs in the night it giveth.

No storm can shake my inmost calm,

while to that rock I'm clinging.

Since love is Lord of heaven and earth.

How can I keep from singing?

I lift my eyes, the clouds grow thin,

I see the blue above it.

And day by day this pathway clears,

since first I learned to love it.

The peace from love makes fresh my heart,

a song of hope is ringing.

All things are mine,

since truth I've found.

How can I keep from singing.