Recently my husband and I attended a make-up Christmas concert by the Seattle Men's Chorus. We had wanted to hear them for several years and this was a unique pay-at-the-door opportunity. It is hard to describe how excitingly musical 250 men singing with great gusto can sound. It was a very fun evening with some great musical moments. But one song, Bashana Haba'ah, continues to haunt me. I looked up the arrangement and the lyrics and found a rendition by the San Francisco Men's Chorus. Considering the problems in Israel and Gaza, it is even more haunting as I read the following lyrics:
Next year we will sit on the porch and count migrating birds.Listen to this incredibly moving rendition of this piece by the San Francisco group, and imagine 250 men singing it, here in Seattle, on a rainy, post-Christmas evening. May we all experience "next year."
Children on vacation will play catch between the house and the fields.
You will yet see, you will yet see, how good it will be next year.
Red grapes will ripen till the evening, and will be served chilled to the table.
And languid winds will carry to the crossroads old newspapers and a cloud.
You will yet see, you will yet see, how good it will be next year.
Next year we will spread out our hands towards the radiant light.
A white heron like a light will spread her wings and within them the sun will rise.
You will yet see, you will yet see, how good it will be next year.
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