From the recording Love Me to Life
This is called narrative music: a story song, a folk song. This song is based on the fable “this too shall pass” originated in the writings of medieval Persian Sufi poets. An early English citation appears in 1848. It’s about a ruler who takes counsel with a sage of sound judgment looking for hope in times of conflict and uncertainty. But, the story doesn't end there!
Lyrics
How Long?
Albert Frank Tucci
A ruler once asked an Eastern sage
To inscribe on his ring a sentiment
Giving hope to his people that would assuage
Their conflicts and fears and impediments.
With strongmen rising and warring against nations and
Pestilence and pandemics taking hold of all minds,
Demagogues and enablers at their powerful stations
Thwarting advancement and hope undermined.
Some say the charge by this powerful ruler
Was to make him happy when sadness prevailed,
To console him in times in depths of affliction…
The hope that the ring’s message would meet the goal when unveiled.
The sage beseeched her muse for a message to surface,
A description that would satisfy the ruler's desire.
What would give rise to an inscription of purpose
Something so brief, so short but inspire?
Enlightened, the sage witnessed how nature behaved,
How the gloom of nights' darkness morphed into day.
Honoring the ruler on the ring she engraved
Six words: "And this, too, shall pass away."
Nothing is permanent, the inscription conveyed,
Hardships will end and the nights will give way;
Words will console the depths of affliction
The ruler was pleased what the ring would allay.
But struck with the thought, how can we not be troubled
By wars on the mind, the body, and soul?
There's no sign that these things are passing
For time has borne witness to no stoppage or control.
“How long must we wait, and who is to say?
How long will it take for us to be sure
That these things we speak of shall all pass away?
Do I and my people have the patience to endure?”
Interlude
The ruler believed that all things must pass,
But when? In our lifetime? How long will it take?
After much reflection he wisely tasked the sage
To answer because a lot is at stake.
And the sage gave an answer and so wisely explained:
“Don’t dwell on the 'when' or 'how long' these things last.
Have faith, be alert, but don't be afraid,
Time is not known when these things shall pass.
Faith will triumph under the gaze of the Father.
Don’t worry how long and don't dismay,
Live for today, live life with faith and
All these trials, too, shall pass away.”
Copyright © 2024 Albert Frank Tucci
All Rights Reserved.