All Things Must Perish

[rabidsamfan]

I have seen his fingers twitch across invisible strings as he listens to me, and deduced that his own instrument was another casualty of the Afghan campaign. When I offered him the use of mine he said nothing; but tonight I returned unexpectedly and found him deep in his own world, trying to force his weakened arm to support the violin and his unpracticed hand to find the chords in timely fashion as he bowed. Too soon the pain of his wound defeated him – that shoulder will never be strong – and I slipped away again unseen.

Some losses require solitude.



The title is from a round we used to sing in Girl Scouts:

All things must perish from under the sky
Music alone shall live
Music alone shall live
Music alone shall live
Never to die

Once, long ago, I used to know the words in German and the composer, but I've forgotten. Can any of you help nudge my brain?