The bittersweet harmonies of br Barber’s song of ruing br carry me back two score years br to that day I sat intent on the bench - br Barber’s accompaniment on the stand. br br Ben Walker exploded into the room br “Have you heard about the president? ” br My blankness answered, br “Kennedy's been shot! ” br My stiffened fingers lifted from the keys. br Dread filled I stammered, br “Will he be all right? ” br Unable to utter the words, br Ben shook his head. br br Scenes flicker on our mindscreens br like scratched newsreels - br tears staining Bernstein’s face, br Eroica and Resurrection br weeping our televised agony, br Oswald doubled over Ruby’s bullets, br a toddler's unbearable salute. br br Watching motorcade frames br repeat in slow motion, br we careen on rubber legs: br a nation’s heart shattered in Dallas br br The somber song plays on: br Housemans’s words br Joined with Barber’s melodies: br br 'With Rue my Heart is Laden.