[HANASHIR:14788] Re: ps...about jewish reggae music

[Adrian Durlester <adrian...>]

I think that Carol and Karen both make interesting points. I think it's also
interesting to note that tunes that we think of as "Jewish" , like the
popular setting of Maoz Tzur, also appear in various protestant hymnals.
 
What's interesting about this melody is that most scholars believe it
originated from an old German folk song that German Jews adopted for use in
the 15th century, although the earliest known manuscript of this melody in a
Jewish context only dates from the mid 18th century. There is a very similar
melody that appears in the hymns used by Martin Luther, who lived in the
late 15th and early 16th centuries.
 
There are several other standard Jewish melodies that have found their way
into (or perhaps back into) various protestant hymnals. There are certainly
a large number of sefardi and middle eastern Jewish melodies that can also
be found in the music of Islamic communities (and vice versa.) Proof that
sharing of melodies abounds.
 
It seems, therefore, that melodies can transcend their original settings an
usage. Time may manage to separate "Get Busy" from its original lyrics, and
it could earn a place in the pantheon of Jewish liturgical music for Adon
Olam someday.
 
That being said, I think I do have to agree that, in this place and in this
time, knowing the origin of the melody and its original lyrics, it probably
isn't all that appropriate to adapt it in a Jewish context. Finding the same
melody in a Jewish songbook and a Christian hymnal is one thing. Finding the
same melody in a Jewish songbook and on a CD that should (if it doesn't)
bear a warning label for adult and sexual content is another matter
entirely, IMHO.
 
On the other hand...we shouldn't forget that many of the popular Israeli
song settings we use at worship these days were written by Israeli rock and
pop artists. (but is that different--is there some inherent "Jewishness" to
them because they use liturgical texts?) And at camp, we sing an awful lot
of Israeli pop songs which contain idiomatic Hebrew that can be of
questionable propriety--it's just that many people don't realize it.
 
As usual, coming out on both sides of the issue, I remain, humbly,
 
Your list-owner,
 
Adrian
 
Adrian A. Durlester, MTS
E-mail: adrian (at) durlester(dot)com  www.durlester.com
Director of Education & Congregational Life, Bethesda Jewish Congregation,
Bethesda, MD
www.bethesdajewish.com
Co-Director, Hazamir/JTAI Choir of Greater DC
Past Conf Chair, CAJE 27, August 4-8, 2002, Trinity University, San Antonio,
TX
List Owner, hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org; Jewish Songleaders/Performers List
www.ehavanashira.org
Co-Owner, l-torah (at) shamash(dot)org; Liberal Torah Discussion List


-----Original Message-----
From: owner-hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org [mailto:owner-hanashir (at) 
shamash(dot)org] On
Behalf Of Danielkare (at) aol(dot)com
Sent: Sunday, June 29, 2003 7:43 PM
To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
Subject: [HANASHIR:14787] Re: ps...about jewish reggae music


In a message dated 6/29/2003 12:53:48 PM Central Daylight Time,
cbleon (at) hotmail(dot)com writes:



As songleaders and cantors, we can introduce our congregations to a 
Christmas carol Adon Olam or we can introduce them to an equally lovely Adon

Olam melody written specifically for that liturgy.




Carol, you express yourself so well in writing, and thanks for sharing your
perspective, as well as those lyrics!  Those who know me know that I find
most parodies and borrowed melodies (including putting Jewish lyrics to well
known nursery rhyme songs) somewhat distasteful, or at least, "lazy".  Some
Jewish artists do use new rhythms and styles, but still write their own
origianl melodies.  I have loosened up somewhat over the years, but still, I
think it's better to associate a certain melody with Hebrew/Jewish lyrics.
Then, when you hear the melody alone, the Jewish feeling comes right into
your heart.  My biggest argument is, how would I feel if someone "borrowed"
the tune to Sing a Song about a Rainbow, for example, and changed the lyrics
to something like the ones Carol sent us?

All the best,
-Karen Daniel