(c)2021 Carolyn Miller
Winter in a cold climate has a big impact on daily life. There are more clothes to put on to keep warm, constant changing of shoes as one moves from indoors to outdoors, attending the fireplace throughout the day, days are shorter, the cold can hurt especially the fingers and toes, drying clothes becomes a more difficult task, sometimes the roads are impassable and there is less interaction between people as they prefer to stay home rather than venture out.
I discovered this aspect to winter when I moved from a mild Sydney climate to a central NSW winter. It doesn’t necessarily get you down (although it can as the winter progresses) but it is definitely a time where people withdraw.
This piano piece came about on a cold day when I was hiding away in my warm music room. The melody that arose out of the chords carried a touch of melancholy as I realised that winter is restrictive and I was yearning for the spring.
I was reminded of the laments found in the bible. There is no shortage of people who have come to God over the centuries and lamented their situation – grief and pain, fear and ill health, unanswered prayers and sinful behaviour. Lamenting draws us closer to our Father in heaven as we open up our hearts to Him. This world is not always going to be kind to us and sorrow is a beautiful melody we sing… it exposes our feeble humanity and helps us see that we need a saviour. Jesus himself was described as a man of sorrows who went to the cross with Joy. This seems to contradict itself but Jesus not only experienced the pain of humanity but also the joy of His fathers love. His Joy was not the happiness we perceive that is reliant upon our circumstances being favourable… His Joy is a deep fulfilment of hope where the joy of the Lord is your strength.
The most asked question in lamenting is “Where are you God?” and the answer is… He is right there with you as you lament and is your hope and your joy. Your current circumstances cannot rob you of that.
To lament is to be triumphant over the winter season… to process it – to sit with it – to wait in hope with a resolve that God is faithful and we can trust in His kingdom.
As you listen don’t be afraid to pour out your heart to God. Then allow his love to flow over you and fill you with the joy that passes all understanding.
About the score… find a sample of the score below. If you are a pianist who is about Grade 4-5 then I think you would be able to play this. It is not technically difficult but requires mature musicianship for the rubato and to play expressively with a depth of emotion and musicality. If you wish to obtain a full copy of the piano score then please contact Carolyn
carolynmmusic 