I had the very distinct honor of singing with GK several years ago - lots of songs, but mostly old Southern hymns. He knows all the verses to everything, and one could see the sheer joy in his eyes while we were so engaged. I'll never forget that evening. It was the highlight of my life.
My wife and I flew halfway across the country to see GK at Red Rocks (August 23, 2015), after which we continued on our vacation to Minnesota (Twin Cities, Lake City and Winona). Previously we had seen him in Irvine, California, at the Segerstrom (April 13, 2015). On each occasion I wore my bright red Rockport sneakers. A great way to stand out in a crowd!
Annika Sorenson's curiosity about your choice to sing in public a graceful song describing love making reminds me of that old joke about the bank robber's choice of work venue, who said, 'It's where the nerve endings are.'
A small cavil; You're not a stranger to BC (and I doubt BC is a stranger to you - 99% of us don't live in the Cariboo or the back of beyond). I am pretty sure I attended a PHC show in Vancouver (Queen Elizabeth Theatre?) around 1995-6. It was billed as the first time PHC had a show outside the U.S. I assume you'd come up from Seattle?
I've also been at performances that began as Annika Sorenson described. As Our Host walks into the auditorium, singing "Oh Lord, Please be there," I know I'm in the right place! The lyrics include something to the effect of "Please Exist. Otherwise, I should have been an Atheist!" To me, that's the opening hymn for the "Church of the Prairie Home" as much as "Holy, Holy, Holy" was the opening hymn in the Methodist church that I grew up in.
What that "Please exist" song means to me, is that we, personally, should be involved in our "religious consumption." "Because our specific religious sect has this particular dogma" shouldn't be enough of an answer. We need to do our own private vision quests. "Please be There" reflects our Brethren-raised Host's life-long search for his own, personal answers.
In truth, that opening song represents one of the primary reasons that I'm such a "faithful disciple of the "Church of the Prairie Home." "The Ineffable" is an undercurrent that threads through nearly every storyline - and yet it's never "Denominational" or "Ironclad." There's space in the program for Father Wilmer of Our Lady of Perpetual Responsibility as much as there is for Pastor Liz, or doubters, too, for that matter.
PS, GK. I'm having a mental block, and a quick search on Google didn't come up with the lyrics for "Please Be There." Please, Please, Please, could you refresh my memory for me?
Please Lord, let me expire before GK. I would miss the simple pleasure of coffew and his words too much.
And please remind me to edit before I click Send
Best advice to us occasional responders, Penny! Check it I must before I send it, or it ends up chuck-it. And that makes a reader gag.
Loved the comment about “emotions being her North Star” and that “you are leading the way for us”. So true.
I had the very distinct honor of singing with GK several years ago - lots of songs, but mostly old Southern hymns. He knows all the verses to everything, and one could see the sheer joy in his eyes while we were so engaged. I'll never forget that evening. It was the highlight of my life.
My wife and I flew halfway across the country to see GK at Red Rocks (August 23, 2015), after which we continued on our vacation to Minnesota (Twin Cities, Lake City and Winona). Previously we had seen him in Irvine, California, at the Segerstrom (April 13, 2015). On each occasion I wore my bright red Rockport sneakers. A great way to stand out in a crowd!
Annika Sorenson's curiosity about your choice to sing in public a graceful song describing love making reminds me of that old joke about the bank robber's choice of work venue, who said, 'It's where the nerve endings are.'
A small cavil; You're not a stranger to BC (and I doubt BC is a stranger to you - 99% of us don't live in the Cariboo or the back of beyond). I am pretty sure I attended a PHC show in Vancouver (Queen Elizabeth Theatre?) around 1995-6. It was billed as the first time PHC had a show outside the U.S. I assume you'd come up from Seattle?
Thanks for showing the snow on the mountains of New Mexico.
Always enjoy your work and have your books. Love them!
From:
A guy from Albuquerque who saw you cross the street in New York City many years ago.
I've also been at performances that began as Annika Sorenson described. As Our Host walks into the auditorium, singing "Oh Lord, Please be there," I know I'm in the right place! The lyrics include something to the effect of "Please Exist. Otherwise, I should have been an Atheist!" To me, that's the opening hymn for the "Church of the Prairie Home" as much as "Holy, Holy, Holy" was the opening hymn in the Methodist church that I grew up in.
What that "Please exist" song means to me, is that we, personally, should be involved in our "religious consumption." "Because our specific religious sect has this particular dogma" shouldn't be enough of an answer. We need to do our own private vision quests. "Please be There" reflects our Brethren-raised Host's life-long search for his own, personal answers.
In truth, that opening song represents one of the primary reasons that I'm such a "faithful disciple of the "Church of the Prairie Home." "The Ineffable" is an undercurrent that threads through nearly every storyline - and yet it's never "Denominational" or "Ironclad." There's space in the program for Father Wilmer of Our Lady of Perpetual Responsibility as much as there is for Pastor Liz, or doubters, too, for that matter.
PS, GK. I'm having a mental block, and a quick search on Google didn't come up with the lyrics for "Please Be There." Please, Please, Please, could you refresh my memory for me?