Songs for the Camino—and the cathedral (Wendy)

The Minnesotans, whom we’ve lost track of the last week or so, were very keen on attending mass each evening and getting a pilgrim’s blessing, even though one was Lutheran and one a very lapsed Catholic. In fact, the Lutheran was the one who was most excited about the experience and seemed to be the motivating force behind their nightly attendance. They nearly convinced Bob to go with them, though the closest he ever got was greeting them at the church entrance as they came out of mass in Frómista. 

Now that we’ve listened to the Gregorian monks chant for the Feast of St. Luke in Rabanal, I think the threat of mass is behind me until Santiago. (Love me some Catholic churches—from the outside or on an architectural/historical tour. Not so keen on the religious ceremony part.)

Anyway, they were telling us about their different mass experiences, which I will admit seemed pretty interesting. They said that at one church, the priest had everyone sing their favorite hymn in their native language. The Korean was on top of it and pulled out his phone with the lyrics to a hymn all ready to go. The Minnesotans struggled through a verse of Amazing Grace.

This set me and Bob off down memory lane, trying to see which songs from our youth we could remember well enough to sing if so called upon. Bob’s list was Primary songs, including “I am a Child of God” and “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam.” I didn’t do much better.

Ever since that conversation, snatches of Mormon hymns pop into my head as we walk, usually first  thing in the morning or during monotonous stretches. Here in the mountains, my brain has often provided a soundtrack from “High on the Mountaintop” or “Lead Kindly Light.”

Lead, kindly light, amid the encircling gloom.

Lead thou me on.

The night is dark, and I am far from home.

Lead thou me on.

Keep thou my feet, I do not ask to see

The distant scene, one step enough for me.

Pretty appropriate, especially when we’re treading carefully over rough gravel paths with only the stars, a half moon, and a dimming headlight to illuminate the way for an hour or so.

But by far, the most common and appropriate refrain that pops into my head is from “Pioneer Children.” In case you’ve forgotten (or perhaps never knew) the lyrics, I share them with you in full:

Pioneer children sang as they walked and walked and walked and walked.

Pioneer children sang as they walked and walked and walked and walked.

They washed at streams and worked and played.

Sundays they camped and read and prayed.

Week after week, they sang as they walked and walked and walked and walked and walked.

I know, right? I think the lyricist must have been on the Camino when they came up with that chorus. It really does fit the rhythm of our walking sticks perfectly.

Bob claims he could sing the entire song if called upon in a pilgrim’s mass. But when pressed, he admits that he would just keep saying, “walked and walked and walked and walked” until someone stopped him.