William Grant Still was a Black American composer whose musical compositions have recently come to light. He was noted for combining classical symphonic music with the spiritual music of enslaved African Americans.
In 1933, he composed a song entitled, “Dismal Swamp.” The song is eerie and mysterious and is meant to musically portray “The Great Dismal Swap.” While not a very pleasant place, this real swampland in Virginia and North Carolina served as a place escaping slaves could safely inhabit until it was safe to continue their journey to freedom. It was safe because the bounty hunters were leery of entering this spooky and dangerous place.
When I first learned of this song, I was immediately reminded of our own grief journey. Grieving can be an uncomfortable place where others are sometimes afraid to go with us.
However, like the slaves who eventually could leave the dismal swamp and continue their journey to freedom, when we grieve, we gradually can move forward out of the worst of it (the dismal swamp) into a different life, a new realm of existence.
Psalm 23 may be familiar even to those who aren’t regular churchgoers or Bible readers. It is recognizable by its first five words, “The Lord is my shepherd.” In a later verse, it talks about walking through the “shadow of death,” and then goes on to assure us that God is with us.
May knowing that while we walk through our dismal swamp of grief, we are always accompanied by God, who bring us comfort and peace.
Upcoming Group:
The Geography of Grief
Wednesday, August 19, 7-8 AM CT
We’ll discuss the terrain of grief – deep forests, dismal swamps and unexpected discoveries along the way.
