"Sing me to Heaven", by Daniel Gawthrop - Sung by the Chicago Chamber Choir

This best-selling choral anthem, by Daniel Gawthrop, has captured the heart and soul of many singers and audiences since it was first published in 1991. The text, by Jane Griner, can be interpreted in various ways, but it has most often been sung at memorial services or for terminally ill patients facing death. It speaks of the great comfort and healing that singing can bring to the dying, suffering or grieving soul. "My soul finds primal eloquence, and wraps me in song... If you would comfort me, sing me a lullaby... If you would mourn me and bring me to God, sing me a requiem, sing me to Heaven."

Born 1949 in Fort Wayne, IN, Daniel Gawthrop is an American composer, primarily of choral music, but also of organ and orchestral music. In addition, he has also been a broadcaster, clinician, adjudicator, organist, conductor, teacher and writer.

Here are the lyrics:
In my heart's sequestered chambers
lie truths stripped of poet's gloss.
Words alone are vain and vacant
and my heart is mute.

In response to aching silence
memory summons half-heard voices
and my soul finds primal eloquence
and wraps me in song,
wraps me in song.

If you would comfort me;
sing me a lullaby.
If you would win my heart;
sing me a love song.
If you would mourn me
and bring me to God;
sing me a requiem,
sing me to heaven.

Touch in me all love and passion,
pain and pleasure.
Touch in me (touch in me)
grief and comfort,
love and passion,
pain and pleasure.

Sing me a lullaby,
a love song,
a requiem.
Love me, comfort me,
bring me to God.

Sing me a love song,
sing me to heaven.

This was at the Chicago Chamber Choir's 3rd and final concert of our spring season, entitled "Burst out Singing", at Court Street United Methodist Church, Rockford, IL, Sunday April 14, 2013. Our two previous performances had been in Chicago and Evanston. Conductor, Timm Adams.