When the words come, they are merely empty shells without the music. They live as they are sung, for the words are the body and the music the spirit.
Interpretation
Words and music are intertwined; words alone cannot convey true emotion without music.
This quote by Hildegard of Bingen emphasizes the profound connection between words and music, suggesting that while words provide structure, it is the music that imbues them with life and emotion. Words are compared to a physical body, while music is likened to the spirit, indicating that without the emotive power of music, words lack their true essence and vibrancy.
In practice
During a presentation on the importance of music in communication.
O, You who are ever giving life to all life, moving all creatures, root of all things, washing them clean, wiping out their mistakes, healing their wounds, You are our true life, luminous, wonderful, awakening the heart from its ancient sleep.
Every creature is a glittering, glistening mirror of Divinity.
The fire has its flame and praises God._x000D_ _x000D_ The wind blows the flame and praises God._x000D_ _x000D_ In the voice we hear the word which praises God._x000D_ _x000D_ And the word, when heard, praises God._x000D_ _x000D_ So all of creation is a song of praise to God.
There is the music of Heaven in all things.
I welcome all creatures of the world with grace.
Don't let yourself forget that God's grace rewards not only those who never slip, but also those who bend and fall. So sing! The song of rejoicing softens hard hearts. It makes tears of godly sorrow flow from them. Singing summons the Holy Spirit. Happy praises offered in simplicity and love lead the faithful to complete harmony, without discord. Don't stop singing.
When I'm dying, I want to think I did what I felt was best for the words I was writing. This may mean, at any time, that I won't be publishable anymore.
Creativity is putting your imagination to work, and it's produced the most extraordinary results in human culture.
A poet is a professional maker of verbal objects.
Some people like to paint pictures, or do gardening, or build a boat in the basement. Other people get a tremendous pleasure out of the kitchen, because cooking is just as creative and imaginative an activity as drawing, or wood carving, or music.
To see the butcher slap the steak before he laid it on the block, and give his knife a sharpening, was to forget breakfast instantly. It was agreeable too - it really was - to see him cut it off so smooth and juicy. There was nothing savage in the act, although the knife was large and keen; it was a piece of art, high art; there was delicacy of touch, clearness of tone, skilful handling of the subject, fine shading. It was the triumph of mind over matter; quite.
I wasn't put on this earth to amass money or personal wealth. I was put on this earth to play guitar and write songs.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.