In the darkened sanctuary, about a dozen men gathered in the first couple of rows of pews. Music was handed out, and we began to sing an unfamiliar anthem. It sounded terrible.

It’s been over two years since any of us have sung in a choir, longer than that if you count the time since we sang together as a men’s chorus. A bulletin notice invited “all interested men” to join in making a “joyful noise” as part of some future worship service. So we showed up.

While the song progressed, our leader walked up and down in front, trying to hear the parts. The tenors were holding their own with the high notes, the rest were making a low rumbling sound. The leader ask for a show of hands as he called off the parts; first tenor, second tenor, baritone, bass. Result? The tenors were in a tiny minority, the basses came in with the overwhelming majority and there were no baritones to be found.

The leader said we had to have some baritones.  He pleaded, he cajoled, he shamed. Two brave souls stood together, willing to try. They looked at me; my golf buddies looked straight at me, as if challenging me to join them in a longest drive contest. Reluctantly I moved back one pew to sit with them.

At my age, and with my limited vocal abilities, I’m lucky to be able to squeak out a full octave. The notes I saw on the page were, literally, above my range. The piano started up again. I think we sounded worse. I was struggling in decidedly unfamiliar vocal territory. Undaunted after a few more run-throughs, our leader told us to take the music home, and said he’d send us a link to the song online so we could hear what the song is supposed to sound like.

I love to sing, not because I’m good, but because I want God to hear my heart. I love to blend in with other voices and sing praises to the highest heaven, to adore my Savior with the music in my soul.

I came home with a sore throat that’s still lingering. I nearly cried when I heard the song online, sung by a men’s quartet. (Click here to hear it.) I’ve tried to sing along using the sheet music. Did I mention that I can’t read music either? The notes go up; they go down. Like a hunt-and-peck typist, I try to find the right note. The next practice is in ten days. I’m going to practice somewhere in the house where my wife will not have to hear me. I’m determined to learn those notes and be ready to sing next time. Unless of course I shred my vocal cords or strain something.

By the way, did you know that God sings too?

Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV) The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

Now that’s a song I’d like to hear.