How Can I Keep From Singing
Listener Submission: Most Meaningful Wedding Music Story

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When I was in college, our choir recorded our own CD. It was an all-female choir (Campus Singers from the College of St. Benedict) and our favorite song was "How Can I Keep From Singing." This is a Quaker song and this arrangement was by Neil Ginsberg. It is the most beautiful arrangement of this song I have ever heard.

I was to be married the following fall after graduating and I knew that I wanted that particular arrangement sung at my wedding. My husband had heard it for the first time on our CD and it really moved him. My husband's mother (Nancy) had died of cancer three years prior and she was a fantastic singer—this song reminded him of her. Nancy’s death was really hard for everyone in his family, especially his father who loved her so much. Everyone wished she could have been at our wedding—especially me, because I never knew her.

I knew that the music would be one of the most important aspects of our ceremony because it would remind everyone of Nancy. Knowing that I couldn't have the entire choir sing at our wedding, I was lucky to round up enough ladies to sing all the necessary parts.

So, this song was sung while we were lighting our unity candle. When my husband and I turned around, we could see his father and the rest of our families in awe of the beautiful music being sung by my friends.

At the end of the ceremony, while we were receiving our guests, the one thing that I heard from everyone was, "The music was spectacular." We felt so proud and we were so happy to have shared that beautiful song with everyone. I like to think that Nancy was singing with my friends during that song and telling us each that she was present on that special day.

Unfortunately, I never knew my deceased mother-in-law but I would like to think that through our mutual love of music, we are kindred spirits.

If you have never heard "How Can I Keep From Singing," make sure you do because it is so inspiring and breathtaking.

Esperanza MacMillan
Minneapolis, MN