There was another magical day when YoYo Ma came to camp and surprised the community by playing his cello. His daughter was a camper and he had come the night before and watched our summer musical. I had written a play that summer called “The Enchanted Clearing” and when he introduced the piece he was going to play, he said it reminded him of being in an “enchanted clearing”. Now there was some magic.
There have been many extraordinary musical talents at the camps. One man in particular has contributed in immeasurable ways. Biff Fink. He truly created the soundtrack of our lives at camp. Tragically, he passed away earlier this year and the loss is profound. What lives on however are the beautiful songs that he has written that are sung at camp each summer.
Gulicking Up is a song that brings all of the counselors from each camp together in song at an all-camp event during pre-camp. No doubt our neighbors on Lake Fairlee can feel the thunderous energy that pulses from Hive as we sing this song.
Tonight we’re singing all together (my, oh, my), for we’re Aloha in the present, you and I. Let’s go one round for love and laughter, in the now and ever after. Let’s lift up our voice and shout it to the sky. Stamp your feet, clap your hands. If you’re looking for a partner, here I am, (yee haw) Are things piling up on you, just let me help you muddle through, cause I’m a good-for-something rascal, yes I am.
His lyrics speak to the deep love and passion that so many of us feel for the camps.
Summer is a meadow full of moonlight. Summer is a mountain bright with sun. Love is summer’s promise, like a ring, it has no end. And a smile is summer’s music, like a song from friend to friend.
Or who doesn’t think of the magic of being in the woods with the beautiful song- Rainbow’s End.
Somewhere on a hillside,
where the woods are deep with pine,
there's a sudden apple clearing, there's a secret place of mine.
Yes, and somewhere there is starlight,
up the hill and round the bend,
just a quiet place for dreamers,
that they call the Rainbow's End.
Rainbow's End lies just before us, yet it seems so far away.
Isn't that the way it's always been?
The things we need the most are always just around the bend.
Still we know we'll find them, when we reach the Rainbow's End.
Somewhere there's a harbor,
that the world has never seen,
Where the ship's come in on firelight, and the waves are apple-green.
Take your dreams into that haven, take a prayer and take a friend.
Make a wish and make a promise,
on the gold at Rainbow's End.
Aren’t we all dreamers? Isn’t that something that we learn at camp? Biff captured so many of our deepest and most profound feelings for this place.
He visited camp during the summer of 2019 and wrote an original song- “Aloha in the Hills” for the show that we created. We were able to share this song with its stirring lyrics at the reunion last summer.
Another breeze is blowing down the lake
Can’t you hear the call of all that longs to be
In every single sacred breath you take.
Whatever makes an ordinary day
Turn fresh and new and beautiful to see
Well, it’s not the things that we’re so certain of
But chances that we take that make us free.
Aloha in the hills, Aloha in the skies,
Aloha in our hearts, Aloha in our eyes
And when at close of day,
That ole’ moon begins to rise,
We’ll bless this very day,
We’ll bless this day with thanks that we’re alive.
Biff’s gifts will live on as will the indelible contributions of so many special people. And lucky me, I am still able to spend time at camp each summer. The campers arrived today and are settling into their tents and cabins, making friends that will no doubt last a lifetime. Off we go!
Biff was amazing. Have to add “Up Beat” to the faves list. On particularly annoying days, we blast it in the car and it invariably cheers us all up!
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