Raise Your Voice in Chorus

Douglas Davidson

I remember in the times before how simple it all seemed--
Was it reality or just a dream I dreamed?
We gathered in a circle, and we let our voices ring,
With old friends and with new friends, oh how we loved to sing.

Our voices raised in chorus, we all could sing along,
Before the virus bound our bodies, and tried to steal our song.

It came upon us silently, and took away our breath,
Until our every intimacy felt the touch of death;
A quiet conversation turned to shouts across the hall,
A simple hug was dangerous, and singing most of all.

Silent fell the chorus, and we could not sing along,
For the virus bound our bodies, and tried to steal our song.

At length we turned our thoughts about and found another way:
A window full of images of those who'd hear us play
In gatherings fantastical where our music we would bring,
Across all miles and barriers we joined again to sing.

We raised our separate chorus, where we each could sing along,
For the virus bound our bodies, but it could not steal our song.

Everything must pass away, and covid's reign will end;
Soon the time will surely come for singing with our friends,
From nearby and from far away, from every distant shore,
In open rooms and circles, we will meet again once more.

Raise your voice in chorus, everybody sing along,
For the virus bound our bodies, but it could not steal our song.