Minor Note

Minor Note A minor note in life I hear, A lonely chord I hold so dear. In youth I heard in hollows deep Old English songs to help us weep. They sang in loving common bond Of dreadful death, yet life beyond: "When I walk on streets of gold, My Savior there I will behold." On mountain tops their voices swell; I hear and now remember well. Youth was held with dread and damn, And dreams and venture were but sham. The stories told by traveled kin Were only dreams of "might have been." Lands so far, so hard to see It seemed for me might never be. A major chord I thought I found Far beyond our mountain ground; But those old dreams I now afford Will not replace that minor chord. The tone of life is but by choice And that we sing with note of voice From heart alone our voices lift That ageless past of songful gift. That warming faith we sang so proud Still calms and softens life's hard shroud. And when my soul is cast afloat, Please softly sing one minor note. —Douglas Duff 57 ...