For a Time Like This: Songs of Comfort
For a time like this it seems right to have music to comfort and sustain us. We approached saint ben’s musicians to suggest songs to help us through the difficult days ahead due to the pandemic and - closer to home - the closing of our churches.
Our ask of each of our musicians was specific:
“In this troubling and uncertain time what are your three songs of comfort, hope and strength? They can be secular or sacred, lively or slow, long or short… more importantly though is that this be music that stirs and uplifts you.”
Some sent us only the artist and track name. Others added a bit of context as to why their selections speak to them of comfort, endurance, assurance and hope. We’ve compiled all their suggestions in to a playlist on Spotify.
If you use Spotify (free and paid accounts are available) log in via an app or your web browser and search for the saint benedict’s table playlist named: For A Time Like This. You can also click on this link to find the playlist and add it/like it/follow it from there. The other option is to stream the music from our website.
The list continues to grow as we hear from more of our music team.
While we can’t gather in worship to hear the gifts of our musicians, we can share in their insight and gifts and perhaps find comfort in these sounds of courage and uplift.
Do you have additions for this list? Add them in the comments below.
Rob Burton
Are You Going With Me by Pat Metheny Live Travels: totally instrumental really just speaks to me.
The Garden by Rush: the last song from the last album, about time ticking away no matter what what we do.
Father Time from the Album Travel Guide: I dare any one to listen to this and feel bad.
Larry Campbell
Time For Mercy by Jann Arden: plaintive cry; we all need to receive mercy; we all need to practice mercy.
Indiscriminate Act of Kindness by Foy Vance: a beautiful story of actions that come from having experienced love like this. The disarming wonder of being treated with unconditional love.
Two Shades Of Hope by Foy Vance: to love is hard and our examples can come from the unexpected.
Andrew Colman
He Has Made Me Glad and I Want To Be Ready by Cory Henry: these tracks, and whole album, uplift the spirit. One of the great jazz musicians of our time has gone to work to make spirituals both reverential and bangin.
The Prayer by GRiZ: A prominent glitch/dubstep DJ who loves the Lord does an album that is has drops to rival Skrillex and quotable, sermon worthy theology. No joke!
Rachel Colman
Be Still by The Fray: I remember this coming on while I was in a doctor's office waiting for tests. I go to it when anxiety is high.
Behold, I Make All Things New by Alana Levandoski: I find the rate and rhythm Alana uses slows me down and reminds me to breathe. Toronto runs at a completely different rate, and this song takes me to another space and time.
Morning Sun by Melody Gardot: A good friend played this for me the day of my dad's funeral, after all was done and we were back home for the evening. The sun will still rise to meet us.
Tatiana Friesen
Everything by Raine Hamilton
Orpheus by Sara Bareilles
Abendlied by The Cambridge Singers
Charles Garinger
Bridge over troubled water by Simon and Garfunkel
God only knows by the Beach boys
Everybody hurts by REM
You can’t always get what you want by the Rolling Stones
Let it be by The Beatles
Samantha Klassen
Gentle River by Alison Krauss
Midnight in Harlem by Tedeschi Trucks Band
Love Loves You Too by Steve Bell
Nick Kolisnyk
Follow the Sun by Xavier Rudd: This song is amazing to wake up to. It reminds me that the world is a big beautiful place. I need to breath it in, and recognize I am insignificant, and ultimately have no control over what life brings me. As a Christian, I take it as a reminder to lean on God, the one who does have control.
Yes I Will by Michael Franti
Dancing in the Living Room by Del Barber: this one is tongue in cheek.
Murray Krushel
Sheep May Safely Graze by J.S. Bach: This is one of the first classical pieces I played on the organ in duet form with my brother Garry on clarinet.
Eternal Source of Light Divine by George Frederic Handel. I like this piece sung by Elin Manahan Thomas. I first heard it when it was sung at Harry and Meghan’s wedding. It really did captivate my attention, simple and beautiful.
Nimrod (Lux Aeterna) by Edward Elgar. I like this piece sung by Voces8, for me, I picture this song being sung acapella by heavenly choirs.
Chris Sones
On Jordan's Stormy Banks I Stand by Jars of Clay: I just really like this version of the old hymn, and the backing vocals from The Blind Boys of Alabama are a great touch.
June Hymn by The Decemberists: this song makes me think of opening my windows after a long winter and letting in the fresh air.
Down on the Corner by Creedence Clearwater Revival: this is just a great pick me up song, something I'd put on while heading out on a summer road trip.
Trish Vrolijk
Find You Here by Ellie Holcomb: this song often meets me in the mornings and reminds me again that I can trust and rest, whatever happens.
One Day by Paul Demer: 1 Corinthians 13:13 has stood out to me lately. Love will last. Whatever happens, love is what I want to share with those around me.
The Peace of God by Hidden in My Heart Vol. 1: Philippians 4:6-7 may be a familiar passage to us who struggle with anxiety. This song, and the entire album that we came across when our son was young, has walked with us through many dark nights and times of anxiety.