Tradition Held Fast

This was written as a closing song and it’s in the UU Hymnbook.  It’s a hymn with a gospel beat, a 16 bar melody with an 8 bar intro/interlude.  The central message is taken from a Native American saying: once we have shared in this circle together, the circle doesn’t break, it just opens.  As the third verse gets to the word “opens” the music takes us to a coda.  “…opens – to every fate of life, and every open heart.”