Paul Vasile

church musician / consultant / composer

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Via Francigena from San Miniato to Gambassi Terme - Credit: Alessio Grazi

Via Francigena from San Miniato to Gambassi Terme - Credit: Alessio Grazi

the journey of a thousand miles

November 07, 2018 by Paul Vasile in Music, Pilgrimage

Themes of spiritual pilgrimage and journey are woven through the last few years of my work. While I’ve blogged about pilgrimage before and even compiled a list of songs on the theme, it wasn’t until this year I actually wrote a song of my own about it.

The Journey of a Thousand Miles is rhythmic walking song based on a teaching of Taoist teacher Laozi (also known as Lao Tzu), with some added text of my own. A literal translation is, "A journey of a thousand Chinese miles starts beneath one's feet." Another poetic rendering I’ve found is, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

After sharing the song at a Music That Makes Community workshop, a participant gently reframed the context for me. While it seems hopeful or even aspirational to Western readers, there’s a serious, cautionary tone in this teaching. One step can quickly lead to a thousand, maybe in a direction or at a speed you didn’t anticipate. So, take care beginning a journey!

Take a listen below and purchase a score if you’d like to use it with a congregation or choir. Drums and other percussion instruments are welcome. Keep that strong backbeat feel (on 2 and 4) and be sure the triplets don’t lose their integrity.

The journey of thousand miles begins with one step.
The journey of thousand miles begins with one step.
O though we may not know where the road will lead,
we know that Love will always guide our feet.
The journey of thousand miles begins with one step.

Text: A teaching of Laozi from the Tao Te Ching, Paul Vasile
Music: Paul M. Vasile, LovedIntoBeing Music ©2018

November 07, 2018 /Paul Vasile
journey, pilgrimage, song, pilgimage, Laozi
Music, Pilgrimage
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