The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #37513   Message #523097
Posted By: Tony Burns
07-Aug-01 - 09:26 PM
Thread Name: Sexist lyric? Change it or ....?
Subject: Sexist lyric? Change it or ....?
I'm sure this has been discussed before but I couldn't find it.

I'd like to learn and lead the song When All Men Sing. (Couldn't find it in DT.)

The lyrics do provide for discussion as they reflect the attitude of a different age. While one could argue that "all men" could mean "all mankind" it could also be seen as a little lame and the verse that says "man and boy" could add weight to an argument that says the song is sexist. So, what do folks do? Sing it as is? Rewrite it to be more politically correct? "When we all sing" seems to fit pretty well and other changes could be made.

There are two parts to this discussion. 1) The particular song and 2) what to do in general.

I know of one person who modified a song to remove the 'god words'. To make it more secular I presume.

This may be a no-win situation. If the words aren't modified you offend a specific camp and if you do modify you offend the purist.