[HANASHIR:1713] Re: the words to rise & shine

[Ketzev2 <Ketzev2...>]

Since I inadvertently started something, I thought it best to clarify myself--

I am one of those people who believes that the words should really NEVER be
"played with" in our songs at all. Don't misunderstand, parodies or extra
verses are fine(if done tastefully and harmlessly) if they don't take away
from the original song. I have a BIG problem, for example, with the "Purple
Dinosaur" of singing fame because he changes the words to all of his
songs(except Debbie's Alef bet,...Did you know he actually sang that?) and
that like changing nursury rhymes and the like. I want my kids to know "I Love
You" as the song for "This Old Man" ? I don't think so!!! As a teacher I want
to teach the way it was written. 

Adrian, I couldn't agree with you more! But folks, I'm a realist. The idea I
shared was one that came from a Rabbi, who in the middle of the song stopped
me and asked me to "sing it their way".

The reality I've encountered is that there are many places that DO worry about
this stuff. Whether we think it's right or overkill, banal, etc., it's a
reality in some places and occasionally we have to be ready.

I wouldn't walk up to Van Gogh's "Starry Night" painting and say:"Not enough
red paint!", it's not my art to change. But sometimes we are asked by the
people who hire us to "accommodate" their sensitivities. "Rise and Shine" is
merely an example of how far it has gone. If we need to always expand our
arsonal of music tricks, put my "suggestion" there( with hundreds of others
you'll collect) and hopefully you won't need it. Just beware that one day
someone might ask you to sing it "their way".

Sorry for the commotion--

Steve