My life flow on (How can I keep from singing?) - Robert Lowry

Translated into ASL by David Bar-Tzur

Created 25 November 2005, links updated monthly with the help of LinkAlarm.

EXPLANATION OF THE GLOSSING SYSTEM
(to understand how I describe the signs in this translation).

1. MY LIFE FLOW LIKE SONG CONTINUE. (2h)IGNORE PEOPLE COMPLAIN++. ME HEAR SONG FAR-AWAY, PREDICT NEW WORLD SHOW-UP WILL.

Refrain: NO STORM BOTHER CALM INSIDE-SELF, IF ME DEPEND FOUNDATION HIM-rt. L-O-V-E NOW RULE (<) HEAVEN, (>) EARTH. MEAN ME STOP SING, CAN'T.

2. DURING STRUGGLE, PROBLEM alt.STRIKE-CHIN, STILL ME HEAR MUSIC SPREAD. SOUND REFLECT INSIDE MY SOUL. MEAN ME STOP SING, CAN'T. Refrain

3. DOESN'T-MATTER WIND MAKE-NOISE GET-AROUND, ME HEAR TRUTH STILL LIVE. DOESN'T-MATTER GET-DARK"step by step", ME PAY-ATTENTION SONG BETTER. Refrain

4. HAPPEN DICTATOR THEY-rt TREMBLE, FEAR MAKE SICK, AND HEAR THEIR-rt DEATH BELL WARN. HAPPEN FRIENDS CELEBRATE (<) CLOSE, (>) FAR-AWAY, MEAN ME STOP SING, CAN'T. Refrain

5. CHRIST HIS-lf PEACE MAKE MY HEART FRESH. LIKE WATER SPREAD"over time". EVERYTHING MINE. WHY? ME HIS+-lf. MEAN ME STOP SING, CAN'T. Refrain


Notes: FLOW - (2h)[4], DHPO down, NDHPO up, FOs away, both hands move towards right side.

FAR-AWAY - [1], twists while moving away with tongue shuttling from side to side. For a QuickTime file of this sign, see ASL Pro: Far.

INSIDE-SELF - The FT of [C] are held against the chest and stuff the FT of [O^] into the [C] twice.

FOUNDATION - NDH [S], PO > signer, FO > DS, is held out with arm parallel to the chest and DH [S], PO > signer, strikes hand from below and then strikes elbow from below.

HON.-IX - [B], PO up, FO > the thing to be honored.

alt.STRIKE-CHIN - Fists alt. strike chin with FOs > chin.

REFLECT - [O^], PO away, FOs up, is brought to [B], PO away, FO up, and reflects off it while opening to [5].

MAKE-NOISE - Touch ear with index finger then (2h)[S], PO down, FO away, move antisymmetrically from side to side while mouthing "pow". For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - thunder.

GET-AROUND - (2h)[1], POs > signer, circle around each other while both hands move > DS.

GET-DARK'step by step' - (2h)[B], POs over shoulder, FOs up, slowly cross but with tiny stops and starts.

DICTATOR - Like RULER but the hands are held higher and the face is negative.

TREMBLE - (2h)[1^], POs down, FOs away, hands vibrate from side to side symmetrically to show legs shaking.

FRESH - {2h)[5], PO > face, hands move like FRIENDLY but fingers don't wg.

Lyrics:

1. My life flows on in endless song, above earth's lamentation. I hear the real though far-off hymn that hails a new creation.

Refrain: No storm can shake my inmost calm, while to that rock I'm clinging. Since love is Lord of heaven and earth, how can I keep from signing?

2. Through all the tumult and the strife, I hear that music ringing; it sounds and echoes in my soul; how can I keep from singing?

3. What though the tempest round me roar, I hear the truth it liveth; what though the darkness 'round me close, songs in the night it giveth.

4. When tyrants tremble, sick with fear, and hear their death knells ringing; when friends rejoice both near and far, how can I keep from singing?

5. The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart, a fountain ever springing. All things are mine since I am his; how can I keep from singing?

treble clef as a symbol for musicTo hear a performance of this song, go to Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua recordings: My life flows on (different title, same song).

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