Lyrics
My life flows on in endless song;
Above earth’s lamentation,
I catch the sweet, though far-off hymn
That hails a new creation;
Through all the tumult and the strife,
I hear the musick ringing;
It finds an echo in my soul –
How can I keep from singing?
What though my joys and comfort die?
The Lord my Saviour liveth;
what though the darkness gather round?
Songs in the night he giveth;
No storm can shake my inmost calm,
While to that refuge clinging;
Since Christ is Lord of heav’n and earth,
How can I keep from singing?
I lift my eyes; the cloud grows thin;
I see the blue above it;
And day by day this pathway smoothes,
Since first I learned to love it;
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
A foundation ever springing;
All things are mine since I am his –
How can I keep from singing?
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
How Can I Keep From Singing presents Christian hope as a song that continues above sorrow, conflict, and loss. Its opening contrast between earthly lament and the distant hymn of new creation gives singing a theological meaning: praise arises not because trouble is absent, but because another reality can still be heard within it. The recurring question expresses confidence that hardship cannot finally silence faith.
The later verses identify the source of that confidence. Christ lives and rules over heaven and earth, gives songs in darkness, and provides a refuge no storm can shake. As clouds thin, the imagery moves toward renewed sight and the peace of Christ refreshing the inner life. The lyric’s older diction and regular return to its central question place it firmly within the hymn tradition. Its enduring theme is steadfast assurance: joy and comfort may fade, yet Christ’s life, peace, and promised renewal continue to sustain praise amid changing circumstances.
Related Scripture
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 Life in Christ is described as a new creation.
- Psalm 42:8 The psalm speaks of the Lord’s song being present in the night.
- Philippians 4:7 God’s peace in Christ guards the heart and mind beyond understanding.