A spiritual whistle story - a bit long sorry

[burnsbyrne]

I think most musicians have had those moments when time stands still and you become the music. I know I have. I have even had other people come up to me later and say something like, "where were you just now?"
I am not an outwardly emotional person. Once, after one of those musical moments, someone said to my wife something like, "now I know where he keeps all of his emotions." It's a beautiful thing. I wish everyone could feel it at least once.
Mike

[Tony McGinley]

We, verily, have made music
as a ladder for your souls,
a means whereby they may
be lifted up unto the realm on high;
make it not, therefore,
as wings to self and passion.


It warms my heart to hear storied like this.
Our material lifestyle has, for the most-part,
precluded contact with our own spirits. I
believe that art in general and music in particular
are means to spiritual re-awakening.

Sometimes only poetry or music are capable
of expressing certain intense feelings.

Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
Perhaps you might, at some time, share the
title of the piece you played with us, or even
better, post a recording of it .

[NancyF]

Found it!

Scaruint na gCompanach (the parting of friends)

here are the abcs with slurred phrases set off by parentheses. Primes are second octave, all F and C are #.

BD'E'---D'(E'F'G')---G'F'---F'E'---D'(E'F'G')B'A'F'---E'D'BE'----E'D'BE'----
E'BD'F'---E'E'----BE'----(E'D'BA)BF'----E'D'BE----EFG---(AGF)(GABCD')---
CD'BAF---F---EDE(FED)EF----F----EDE(FED)E

I"ll try to get it recorded for you guys.

Nancy

[Daniel_Bingamon]

In many cultures, the word for Spirit is breath.

A thought occured to me:
A whistle is just an inanimate object unless the breath of life goes into it.

[rodfish]

What a beautiful experience Nancy; thanks for sharing it with us.

Rod

[livethe question]

Thank you for sharing Nancy.

[BillChin]

Thank you for that story Nancy. I wanted to wait until most have commented before repeating my story.

Your story brings back memories of my grandmother's final days. Briefly, my grandmother was in hospital, at the age of 97, near the end of her long journey. I flew across country to help my parents, and also to visit. Each day I would sit in her hospital room and play my whistles. Grandma's mind was long gone, but she could still respond to the music. A few days after I flew home, grandma passed away. I wrote a song during my time at the hospital and played it at the memorial.

Music can and does transcend.

Ribbons of Light

Pick up the thread, slowly we weave.
Criss-cross and back, tapestry seams.
Ribbons of life, ribbons of light,
Follow the thread and see where it leads.

To hear it or see the dots post the following ABC into this link:
http://www.concertina.net/tunes_convert.html

X:1
T: Ribbons of Light
R: Slow aire
C: Bill
A: melody
M:5/4
L:1/4
Q:1/4=100
K:G
| F F F F2 | E D E F2 |
| F F F G2 | F E/ D/ E D2 |
| A G F E2 | A G F E2 |
| G F/ E/ G2 D | E F D3 |

[NancyF]

So nice of you to share that with me Bill, thank you. It feels good to know all you find this connection between music and expression.

Peace, Nancy

[SBS144]

Music is food for the soul. It can take you places you never would have gone without it. Nice story to share. Thanks for sharing......

[IDAwHOa]

In many cultures, the word for Spirit is breath.

A thought occured to me:
A whistle is just an inanimate object unless the breath of life goes into it.

And in a very real sense makes us creators, just as our Creator is.

Looking forward to hearing your rendition of the Aire Nancy.

[Redwolf]

The aire is (help me gaelic people) Scairnt N'Gompna or close. I couldn't find it in any of my books even under gan anim.

Nancyf

Close. "Sgarúint na gCompánach": Literally "the parting of companions"

Oops...sorry! Reading back, I see you found it!

Redwolf

[IDAwHOa]

Your story brings back memories of my grandmother's final days.

Bill, I remember that time and how you expressed your feelings. That song has a beautiful and wonderful message.Would you consider posting your interpretation of it as the ABC player is so vanillia in its presentation.

[riverman]

Dear Nancy,
I know what you're talking about. Music was designed by God to be soothing to the spirit. I praise Jesus with my whistle all the time, and often I feel the presence of God when I do. I encourage you to find out more. God said through the prophet Jeremiah, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

[alespa]

I second that Riverman.

I also find the whistle an amazing instrument. It's portable, easy to pick up and take wherever you go, sounds sweet (even in my hands) and brings people together.

[BrassBlower]

Nancy,

The more I read your original post, the more I can see something at work here. You could have just as easily decided not to go to the camp. Your teacher could have been someone other than Seamus Mac Conaonaigh. You could have just as easily learned a tune other than the aptly-titled Scaruint na gCompanach. You could have not made it back in time to have two more days with your Mom. The curate could have been a non-musician. And most of all, you could have missed out entirely on the whole spiritual experience.

And I could have missed this thread!

I'll try to learn this tune myself, so one of these days when I make it back up to Bartlesville, we can play it together in your Mom's memory. I feel privileged to have met her. Take care!

Le gra mor,
Jim