When I sat down at my computer this morning for my customary Facebook-and-coffee routine, I saw that many friends were posting tributes to the victims and heroes of 9/11. As I pondered what would be a good musical tribute for this day, the bells began to ring at church across the street from me, and I immediately recognized the hymn “Abide With Me.” I love that hymn; we sang it at my Mom’s memorial service (which, coincidentally, took place a year and a couple weeks prior to 9/11/01).

Here’s a version of the hymn sung by St Paul’s Cathedral Choir, from their 9/11 tribute album, Remembrance. You can buy the album on CD here, or as an mp3 download here.

And here’s my pick to commemorate this day: the first movement from Brahms’ A German Requiem: “Selig Sind, Die Da Leid Tragen” (“Blessed are They that Mourn”) Buy the recording here.

The text is from the Beatitudes and the book of Psalms. Here is the English translation, courtesy of the Choral Public Domain Library:

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
They that go forth and weep, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing their sheaves with them.

Tell someone you love them today, music nerds!

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