What with the High Holy Days coming up, my rabbi asked if I knew any traditional songs that showed Personal Growth, especially with a positive outcome. My song list has 425 songs and no, I don't seem to. Lots where someone regrets what he's done (but you get the impression he'll do it again, eg, next time he's in port). Often in a Goodnight song he recounts his deeds (bragging, mostly) and warns _you_ to "shun bad company lest you come to hell with me." Sometimes someone acts bravely or morally but there's a bad outcome. He's been warned or should have known better, the dumb-dumb. Even if it's a good outcome, it's just chance or the way he always acts, anyway; not growth, Very occasionally someone gets tired his wild and wicked ways and goes home to the family or parents. But I don't ever get much feeling of "Personal Growth" just hard lesson (eg Spencer the Rover or Wild Rover.) I'm not actually surprised. High-level Personal Growth, political correctness and modern mysticism don't seem part of folk tradition. Still, if anyone has suggestions, I'd be very interested and appreciative.
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