After reading Maeve Heaney’s superb post on Bruce Springsteen’s music, I thought I would share the following quote by Catholic priest and Springsteen friend, Fr. Kevin Keelen, made in his opening remarks at Monmouth University where a four-day symposium on Springsteen was held two week ago:

“Like nothing else in life, music transports us … more than any service or lecture you could do.” Springsteen “is a priest, and a priest brings people together.” USA Today, Sept. 17, 2012, p. 3D

2 Comments »

1. 

   Amen. And a little story. 2 weeks ago I was responsible for providing music for 2 memorial services at the Episcopal church where I am music director. There were beautiful moments in both services, spoken and sung, yet one is stuck in my mind and heart. The widow had asked if “If I Should Fall Behind” could be played or sung during her husband’s memorial. I must admit I didn’t know the song, so I immediately YouTubed it and heard this version:
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04mRvBaEku4&feature=youtube_gdata_player
   I practiced the song and ultimately sang it, to a spare piano accompaniment, during communion at the memorial. We’ve sung and played Springsteen before at Grace (gracehere.org), My Father’s House and The Rising come to mind, but singing this song was one of the most meaningful liturgical moments I’ve experienced. The depth of emotion evoked from those 3 or 4 chords connected to some of the most loving and honest poetry– what is more holy and true? And if we church folk really care about sacrament and liturgy, finding music that connects us– to each other, to our true nature and to a sense of the holy and sacred, regardless of the source, should be our goal.

   Comment by Ann Strickland — September 21, 2012 @ 10:39 pm

2. 

   Thanks for your comment, Ann. “If I Should Fall Behind” is one of my favorite Springsteen songs. In his biography of Springsteen, Marc Dolan tells a touching story about that song. Springsteen’s co-manager, Barbara Carr, had a daughter named Kristen who worked with her fiance to help organize Springsteen’s off-duty itinerary for a European tour. Kristen got cancer and died in 1993 at the age of twenty-one. Springsteen and his wife Patti ended up singing “If I Should Fall Behind” at her funeral instead of at her wedding.

   Comment by Mary McDonough — September 22, 2012 @ 10:11 am

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