Sing Tune A Do

Last Tuesday evening at a funeral mass for the father of a former officemate of ours, a female solo singer started to sing Lift Up Your Hands during communion:

“Life is not at all that bad my friend…”

I noticed her voice was wobbly, obviously out of age not grief. I also noticed she was singing at quite a high key. I turned to my companion (another officemate) beside me; her eyes were shut in prayer. So I just kept my mouth shut. Then the singer got to the refrain:

“And He said…”

Ay, tataas pa ito.

“…cast your burdens upon me…”

Her voice started cracking; she was struggling to hit the high notes.

“For the yoke I will give you is easy…”

Oh no, not again.

But then suddenly she spoke: “Please sing! Those who know the song, sing along with me!” “…and my burden is light….”

Ay, may ganun! I looked at my companion; she was looking at me too. We broke into uncontrollable giggling.

Later on after the mass, I asked my former officemate who the singer was.

“She’s my father’s sister, my tita,” she replied, then immediately added, “…who is one of the original members of The New Minstrels.”

Oh my gulay! Muntikan ko nang i-okray ang isang original member ng New Minstrels, ang isang tanyag na vocal group from the early 70s! Kaya may-I-reply na lang, “Ahhh, okey.” Sabay punta sa buffet table para kumain ng barbeque.