RE: Adon Olam

[erik l. f. contzius <eriklfc...>]

>I think it is dangerous to require a link between a melody and specific
>words,
>i.e. that a tune was written with specific words in mind. The fact that the
>theme to Gilligan's island can be used with other words (or simply instrumen
>tally) proves that the melody itself is good. Innocuous maybe, but it
>stands on
>its own. So do the words to Adon Olam.

But the composer of Gilligan's Island doesn't have any religious connection
to their melody. They're not so worried about kavanah OR keva. They're
trying to sell you a show. Big difference.

> And sure, go ahead and use a catchy upbeat tune.  Uzi Hitman's tune is
>> FUN!  It's silly.  I don't really think it captures the feeling of the text,
>> but it was  WRITTEN FOR THOSE WORDS!  I don't picture Bob Denver and Alan
>> Hale
>> when I sing it!  There are lots of other tunes (or you can make up a simple
>> one of your own) that can be used to teach the words, without cheapening
>them!

Unfortunately, a huge point here has been missed. Uzi Hitman, and many,
many other Israelis who use liturgical quotes as subjects for their popular
music, never intended for them to be used in prayer! Neither do the modern
orthodox who write in a popular style. What they do provide is music for
the masses which has religious content so they don't have to listen to the
drek on the radio with questionable moral content.

Having said that, i realize that invariably it has been taken into worship
because it 'speaks to the jews'. i just think it's good for us to know
where it comes from.


Hazzan Erik L. F. Contzius
Omaha, Nebraska

mailto:erik(dot)contzius (at) usa(dot)net
mailto:eriklfc (at) radiks(dot)net

http://www.radiks.net/eriklfc/