The Story Behind Our BenedictionBy Diane Graham (she/her)As Plymouth Sunday services winddown with spirits refreshed, thecongregation joins as one to sing itstraditional closing benediction.From the opening line “May the Lordbe always with you,” churchgoers beginswaying to the music, perhaps linkingarms with a loved one. Deacons at thesanctuary’s rear doors hold hands, too.It’s a treasured weekly blessing-in-songfor Plymouth’s church family.“It’s as perfect a thing as it could be forwhat it does. It just checks off so much ofthe criteria I have for good church music,”said Christopher Goodson, Plymouth’sDirector of Music and Arts. And after a23-year tradition of singing it, “I have noplans to ever change it,” he said.Ben Allaway, who wrote the benediction’smusic and lyrics, is an accomplishedmusician with an extensive resume as achoral composer and conductor. Thisparticular piece, though, was writtennot for Plymouth but for CovenantPresbyterian Church of Trenton, N.J. Itsofficial title “Covenant Blessing” honorsthat church.Just how this beloved tune became firmlyrooted at Plymouth is a tale of lovelyserendipity. Allaway has a number ofcommissioned choral works to his name,but this song was not one. “This was avery personal project,” he said.Allaway, a California native, met andmarried his wife in Des Moines. Andthough he moved around for variousmusic-related projects and positions, helived most of the last 35 years in Iowa.Two daughters even sang for a while inPlymouth’s Matins ChoirBut back in the mid-1980s, he servedas Covenant’s music director whilecompleting his master’s degree atnearby Westminster Choral Collegein Princeton, N.J. Allaway and theCovenant church family forged a strongbond in the few years they shared.Composing “Covenant Blessing” was oneway to say thank you, and it became afavorite. A choir member even capturedthe lyrics in a counted cross-stitchAllaway still has.18Benedictionsong needlepointA distinctive quality of “Covenant” is itswaltzing 3/4 rhythm. At the time, manychurches were using a legally fraughtbenediction text sung to the famous tune“Edelweiss” from “Sound of Music.” Butcomposer Richard Rodgers had raisedcopyright infringement objections, andhe and then his estate threatened legalaction for use of the music withoutits original lyrics. Churches werestrongly advised to drop the song’s use.Allaway saw an opportunity to offer areplacement that honored the lilting flowof the illicit “Edelweiss” tune.His Covenant Presbyterian successorwas Westminster Choral ProfessorJanet Davis. Plymouth members oflong-standing no doubt recognize hername. That’s because in 1994, Daviscame to Plymouth as music director.Reconnection with his colleague,Allaway even remembers taking her tothe Iowa State Fair that first summer.About five years into her Plymouthtenure, Davis contacted Allaway aboutthe “Covenant” song. She had tworequests: Could she begin includingit in Plymouth’s services and would hemind if she tweaked his lyrics, amendingthe “he” and “his” references to be a bitmore inclusive? Allaway was thrilled,saying that for $50 the church could havelifetime music rights. And he so liked herlyric changes that he basically adoptedthem as well.
It seems that your browser's pop-up blocker has prevented us from opening a new window/tab. Please click the button below to open the link manually.
