On this Palm Sunday we’ll hear musical selections from Rev. Claire and performed by the band: “Graceland” and “Hang On Little Tomato.” The adult choir will sing “What Do You Love More Than Love” by Dar Williams.

“Graceland,” by Paul Simon, tells the story of a father-and-son journey, potentially inspired by Simon’s own divorce, in search of a place of refuge and reconciliation, metaphorically represented by Graceland. The song explores themes of loss, hope, and the search for a place of healing and belonging.

“Hang On Little Tomato” includes the lyrics “When change is hard and not so nice/You listen to your heart the whole night through.” Songwriter Thomas Lauderdale of Pink Martini introduced it by saying while the title came from a ketchup ad, at another level it’s a song about hope… and death.

Along the lines of Graceland, “What Do You Love More Than Love” by Dar Williams explores the notion of a metaphorical journey. The song also explores loss, searching, and ultimately gratitude. All the while asking directly “what do you love more than love?”

—Chris