Let it Be

During these troubling times, it is essential to find ways to cope, ways to escape, ways to manage anxiety. One of my strategies is music.

Have you noticed that words you’ve heard time and time again have taken on new meaning during this new reality?

John Lennon and Paul McCartney certainly weren’t thinking of COVID-19 when they wrote Let it Be. Yet when I listened to it the other day, I couldn’t help but consider these poetic words in the context of the current situation.

When I find myself in times of trouble
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
And in my hour of darkness
She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

And when the broken hearted people
Living in the world agree,
There will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted there is
Still a chance that they will see
There will be an answer, let it be
Let it be, let it be. Yeah
There will be an answer, let it be.

And when the night is cloudy,
There is still a light that shines on me,
Shine on until tomorrow, let it be.
I wake up to the sound of music
Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.
Let it be, let it be.
There will be an answer, let it be.
Let it be, let it be,
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

What lyrics or songs resonate with you? What about with your students? During this national month of poetry, invite your students write another verse to one of their favourite songs.

Charles Darwin once said, “If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once every week.”

We can’t control our situation; we can control how we respond to the situation. Poetry and music each week… let it be.