Give Me a Calm and Thankful Heart--Spoken Word Given by Lloyd D. Newell

Give Me a Calm and Thankful Heart

Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newell

Abraham Lincoln believed that music can restore the soul. And during the turbulent years of his presidency, his soul often needed restoring. He regularly attended concerts, operas, and musical theater, seeking comfort and inspiration. A Civil War music scholar noted that President Lincoln “would not always listen to what was being played or even be conscious of it, for much of the time he would be too preoccupied—or distracted—by matters ever pressing for attention. Yet there would be times when he would hear and would listen, times when he would be deeply thrilled and deeply moved, times when he could relax and be soothed by the familiar tunes, times when he would make requests for particular pieces, times when he would compliment the players, times when he would be sustained, and times when he would be brought to tears.”1 Thankfully, none of us has to face Abraham Lincoln’s daunting pressures and challenges. Our times are different, our challenges unique. But we all have our own reasons to need the strength and renewal that good music can offer—whether we’re trying to break a bad habit, mend a relationship, raise a family, or just find personal peace. One of Lincoln’s favorite hymns, written by Anne Steele 100 years before the Civil War, illustrates well how inspired music can restore “a calm and thankful heart” to anyone who is seeking peace: Father, whate’er of earthly bliss Thy sovereign will denies, Accepted at Thy throne, let this My humble prayer, arise: Give me a calm and thankful heart, From every murmur free; The blessing of Thy grace impart, And make me live to Thee. Let the sweet hope that Thou art mine My life and death attend, Thy presence through my journey shine, And crown my journey’s end. 1 Kenneth A. Bernard, “Lincoln and the Music of the Civil War,” Civil War History, Sept. 1958, 270. Program #4144