[HANASHIR:1736] Re: the words to rise & shine

[Adrian A. Durlester <durleste...>]

Steve did indeed inadvertently start something-and I apologize to him for
picking his particular message in which to start of my little tirade.

I understand Steve's point about "accommodating our hosts, " about "when in
Rome..." However, part of the task I set for myself is to educate people as
to why these changes are problematic-they may be true to current
sensitivities and pay homage to our new god - "relevance" - but they
completely reject and neglect the "sitz im leben" (setting in life) in which
these ancient and holy words were written.

Just as it is important to not offend those who have suffered recent
indignities, like blacks, or continual indignities, like women, it is
important to not offend the memory of a people who thousands of years ago
were slaves to Pharaoh, who made a covenant wit G-d, and struggled mightily
with their own inclinations in order to try and keep this covenant.

My understanding of liberal Judaism is that it is about "informed choice."
This precept is violated when I'm told not to wear a kippah, not to shuckle,
and when I am required to use language that violates the integrity of the
original text from my viewpoint.

I'm always happy to try to sing something "their" way, as long as I am not
told that my way is wrong or somehow inappropriate. Accommodation yes. But
accommodation with respect for the variety of ideas and beliefs.

I realize that I'm straying a bit far from the list topic, something I have
chastised others for before. So I'll try and make this my last word on the
subject.

Adrian


-----Original Message-----
From: owner-hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org [mailto:owner-hanashir (at) 
shamash(dot)org]On
Behalf Of Ketzev2 (at) AOL(dot)COM
Sent: Monday, November 09, 1998 8:33 AM
To: hanashir (at) shamash(dot)org
Subject: [HANASHIR:1713] Re: the words to rise & shine


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