The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #130546   Message #2940303
Posted By: GUEST,Taconicus
05-Jul-10 - 05:41 PM
Thread Name: Does Religion Deny Music to Children?
Subject: RE: Does Religion Deny Music to Children?
First of all, the thread is misnamed. You're talking about a particular religion denying music to children. There's certainly nothing in the Christian or Jewish traditions that denies or discourages music to children. On the contrary. I went to grade school back when the students in American public schools said prayers every morning. We also had "assembly" every day in which the entire school was led in (secular) song. Neither is done anymore here.

However, a case could be made that modern folk music sometimes does its best to keep religion from children (and others). If you look at the original sources of traditional folk music, you'll often find verses relating to religion that somehow never made it to the modern versions sung today in folk circles.

For example, look at these verses from the original poem "Farewell to Tarwathie" by George Scroggie that you've never heard if you only listened to the Judy Collins version of the song by the same name.

May He who never slumbers
From danger us keep,
While viewing his wonders
On the mighty deep.

And you my dear mother,
O weep not for me,
But trust in His mercy
That ruleth the sea.

Who saves on the ocean
As well's on the land,
For we are all guarded
By His mighty hand.

He rides on the billows
And walks on the wave--
His arm is powerful
To sink or to save.

And though I be absent
You need never fear;
There's no place so distant
But God will be there.