It’s Ann here today. Andy is over in OurLittleCorner remembering his time with Chris Jones, a close friend.
What do we wish for those near and dear to us? To live surrounded by love and laughter certainly sounds like a wish we could all embrace. I might add one more: love, laughter – and music!
My Fort Collins (Colorado) Besties were all members of the FCHS A Cappella Choir. And we still all get teary when we think about the A Cappella Choir singing at every graduation ceremony – especially ours, the Class of 1962. First the choir sang “Hail to Thee Fort Collins High School; we will ever faithful be.” And then the concluding song was sung…twice. After singing the first go-around, the seniors in the choir stepped down and joined their seated, graduating classmates, while the choir’s freshmen, sophomores, and juniors continued singing.
And what was that final song? “The Lord Bless You and Keep You.”
I’m getting goosebumps just writing this!
A few years ago – after years and years of that emotional conclusion to each FCHS graduation ceremony – the school board apparently voted against continuing the tradition. Since I no longer live in Colorado, I didn’t realize that had happened – and I have no idea what the argument against the song was. But I can make a good guess, as can you, I’m sure. And it would be that the song’s religious message did not apply to everyone and so wasn’t appropriate (Fort Collins, BTW, is no Baton Rouge, Louisiana, another one of our homes, where the Ten Commandments are now required to be posted in every classroom).
If you don’t know the song I’m talking about, Peter Lutkin, born in 1858 and later a dean at Northwestern University, published it in 1900. According to Wikipedia, “generations of choristers likely were first introduced to his choral music through his benediction setting, The Lord Bless You and Keep You, with its famous concluding sevenfold amen.”
I sent my Besties four renditions of the song which I found on YouTube, and this recording of students from Concordia Lutheran High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, was their favorite. The students are singing in the Indiana state capitol building.
I’ve been trying to think of a good argument why the song should/could still be sung at a public school – without anyone being offended. I’ve even googled “Lord,” trying to get a clearer definition of the religious meaning, and I got totally confused. I didn’t even realize that there is a difference between LORD (all caps) and Lord (small letters). And that the word “Lord” only acquired religious connotations after the 11th century and the Norman Invasion of England (see Wikipedia again). I did learn that various religions use a word which can be translated as “lord.” Think of “Bhagavat” for Buddha ,” Hindu “Ishvara,” or Islam “rabb رب).” Plus, a fascinating and complex article from PBS, which discusses the “moralizing god hypothesis,” quotes a researcher, “There are no societies that are a-religious. “
I know another argument can be made against the use of “His” in the song – but we’re not going there today. 🙂
What could possibly replace that song – and bring tears to our eyes 62 years later? The only song I can think of is Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young” – but even Dylan’s song has a religious reference! The Perfect Graduation Song search continues.
May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the light surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
May your song always be sung
And may you stay forever young
I love every line in Dylan’s song, but I especially like “may you always do for others and let others do for you.” We all know we’re supposed to do for others but I think it’s easy to forget that letting others do for us is equally important. Our recipe for today, a Buddha Bowl, is a great example of this. It has its origins from the time when, according to Epicurious.com, “Buddha woke up before dawn every morning and carried his bowl through the roads or paths wherever he was staying. Local people would place food in the bowl as a donation, and at the end he would eat whatever he had been given.”
Now I’m going to go make a (Lord) Buddha Bowl and invite friends over. And I’ll let them bring something to share. Here’s the recipe I plan to use.
Lord Buddha Fall-ish Farro Salad with Yumm Sauce
- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into about 1 1/2″ chunks (or peeled and cut up butternut squash)
- Olive oil, for drizzling
- Diamond kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 c pearled farro
- 1 c apple cider
- 2 fresh bay leaves
- 1/2 c shaved parmesan cheese
- 4 c baby arugula
- 1/2 c parsley leaves, roughly torn
- 1/2 chopped toasted pistachios
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place the sweet potato chunks on a small sheet pan. Drizzle olive oil and salt and pepper over the sweet potatoes and mix together. Place in the oven and roast for about 20-30 minutes or until cooked through and slightly browned. Cool.
While the potatoes roast, in a medium saucepan, bring farro, apple cider, 2 tsp Diamond kosher salt, bay leaves and 2 cups water to a simmer. Simmer until farro is tender and liquid evaporates, about 30 minutes. If all the liquid evaporates before the farro is done, add a little more water. Let farro cool, then discard bay leaves.
Mix the farro, roasted sweet potatoes, and cheese together. Just before serving, toss the farro mix with the arugula and parsley and Yumm sauce – or the dressing of your choice. Sprinkle the pistachios on top before serving.
Copycat Yumm Sauce (Café Yumm! is a popular fast-casual restaurant chain, located in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho; they’re known for their rice bowls)
- 3/4 c drained canned chickpeas (or a mixture of cooked chickpeas and cooked soybeans)
- 1/2 c almond flour
- 1/4 – 1/2 c water, as needed to get proper consistency
- 1/2 c canola oil or sunflower oil
- 1/2 c lemon juice
- 1/4 c nutritional yeast
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed – or 3/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Diamond kosher salt
- 1 tsp curry powder
Place all ingredients into a food processor. Process until smooth. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use
The benediction and sevenfold amen are favorites of mine as well. Our (my) HS choir made good use of it, and our “all city” choir (Minneapolis, 1958-60) did so as well.
This leaves me with many of the same memories! Miss many parts of the old days!
Thanks, Ann & Andy for always leaving us with many interesting & inspiring thoughts.
Andy here. Thanks for the comment Sharon. You are too kind with your praise. We miss the good ol’ MiniBloom days and coming out to your place (despite flower-eating deer).