generation gap

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

I think I'm living in a time warp. Or something.

I can't seem to understand the words to songs being sung anymore. The following is a good example. I like the music, but only can catch a word or two every so often.

[Bravus]

Yeah, it's a particular very mannered style of singing - not a fan personally. But then, I'm in no position to talk, since this is what I'm listening to at the moment:

Conveniently, this video features the lyrics (although with quite a few mistakes) in both English and Spanish(? Portuguese?)...

[Bravus]

Mind you, the old excessive-vibrato, cod-operatic style that many people used to use for hymns also made it pretty challenging to really understand the words.

[LifeHiscost]

Yeah, it's a particular very mannered style of singing - not a fan personally. But then, I'm in no position to talk, since this is what I'm listening to at the moment:

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Conveniently, this video features the lyrics (although with quite a few mistakes) in both English and Spanish(? Portuguese?)...

" “They will plunder all your riches and merchandise and break down your walls. They will destroy your lovely homes and dump your stones and timbers and even your dust into the sea. I will stop the music of your songs. No more will the sound of harps be heard among your people. I will make your island a bare rock, a place for fishermen to spread their nets. You will never be rebuilt, for I, the Lord, have spoken. Yes, the Sovereign Lord has spoken!"Eze 26:12-14 NLT

"I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings.

I won’t even notice all your choice peace offerings.

Away with your noisy hymns of praise!

I will not listen to the music of your harps.

Instead, I want to see a mighty flood of justice,

an endless river of righteous living."

Amos 5:22-24 NLT

"How terrible for you who sprawl on ivory beds

and lounge on your couches,

eating the meat of tender lambs from the flock

and of choice calves fattened in the stall.

You sing trivial songs to the sound of the harp

and fancy yourselves to be great musicians like David.

You drink wine by the bowlful

and perfume yourselves with fragrant lotions.

You care nothing about the ruin of your nation."

Amos 6:4-6 NLT

I didn't read the context but music doesn't always speak to God as one might believe.

God blesses!

[Bravus]

Hmm, I don't think any of those texts are saying that music in general is unacceptable to God. Even less are they saying that any particular *style* of music is unacceptable to God.

They're basically about hypocrisy: what God wants is the deeds to live up to the words, even if the words are in song...

[Woody]

As far as references for the style of music that might be acceptable for SDAs ... one is in the book 27 SDA Beliefs 1988 General Conference Ministerial Dept p. 284 : "So Christ's followers will shun any melody, partaking of the nature of Jazz, Rock, or related hybrid forms or any language expressing foolish or trival sentiments."

I pray that the definition of "foolish" or "trival" is left for me to decide and not the rest of you. :)

[Bravus]

There's a difference between saying "I like it but I struggle to understand the words" or "I don't particularly like it" and saying "If I don't like it, God doesn't like it". We really know nothing at all about the music of heaven - except that it's almost certainly unlike any music on earth. Anyone expecting that all the music of heaven fits their personal tastes is likely to be sorely disappointed...

Back on topic, I don't personally like the manner in which that first song is sung, but can see how some people like it. And if it's hard to understand the words, we do have the web now, and can look up any lyrics on anything in a moment or two. Once you've read the words it's a lot easier to hear them.

[Planey]

... Anyone expecting that all the music of heaven fits their personal tastes is likely to be sorely disappointed...

Now now now Dave! I am sure the definition of the music of heaven exactly matches my tastes - otherwise how could it be heaven?

Sorry for the rest of you who clearly have dysfunctional tastes but that's how it is, eh.

Graeme

PS

Actually I totally agree with the theme of your post, Bravus.

Right on.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Here is a selection of misheard lyrics from popular songs, hymns, and carols (from fun-with-words.com):

"Gladly, the cross-eyed bear."

"Gladly The Cross I'd Bear."

Traditional Hymn

"There's a bathroom on the right."

"There's a bad moon on the rise."

Bad Moon Rising, Creedence Clearwater

"Excuse me while I kiss this guy."

"Excuse me while I kiss the sky."

Purple Haze, Jimi Hendrix

"Dead ants are my friends; they're blowin' in the wind."

"The answer my friend is blowin' in the wind."

Blowin' In The Wind, Bob Dylan

"Midnight after you're wasted."

"Midnight at the oasis."

Midnight at the Oasis, Maria Muldaur

"The girl with colitis goes by."

"The girl with kaleidoscope eyes."

Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds, The Beatles

"Sleep in heavenly peas."

"Sleep in heavenly peace."

Silent Night, Christmas carol

"I blow bubbles when you are not here."

"My world crumbles when you are not here."

I Try, Macy Gray

"I got no towel, I hung it up again."

"I get knocked down, but I get up again."

Tubthumping, Chumbawumba

"She's got a chicken to ride."

"She's got a ticket to ride."

Ticket to Ride, The Beatles

"You and me and Leslie."

"You and me endlessly..."

Groovin', The Rascals

"Sont des mots qui vont tres bien ensemble; tres bien ensemble."

"Sunday monkey won't play piano song, play piano song."

Michelle, The Beatles

"I'll be your xylophone waiting for you."

"I'll be beside the phone waiting for you."

Build Me Up Buttercup, The Foundations

"Are you going to starve an old friend?"

"Are you going to Scarborough Fair?"

Scarborough Fair, Simon and Garfunkel

"Baking carrot biscuits."

"Taking care of business."

Takin' Care Of Business, Bachman-Turner Overdrive

"Donuts make my brown eyes blue."

"Don't it make my brown eyes blue."

Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue, Crystal Gale

"Got a lot of lucky peanuts."

"Got a lot of love between us."

Let's Hang On. Frankie Vallee and the Four Seasons

"What a nice surprise when you're out of ice."

"What a nice surprise bring your alibis."

Hotel California, Eagles

"Hope the city voted for you."

"Hopelessly devoted to you."

Hopelessly Devoted to You, Grease

"I'm a pool hall ace."

"My poor heart aches."

Every Step You Take, The Police

"Just brush my teeth before you leave me, baby."

"Just touch my cheek before you leave me, baby."

Angel of the Morning, Juice Newton

[Planey]

Only one I'm not sure about.

All the examples had the structure

. Misheard lyric

. Original lyric

So now I'm not sure about this:

"Sont des mots qui vont tres bien ensemble; tres bien ensemble."

"Sunday monkey won't play piano song, play piano song."

Michelle, The Beatles

Have I been mis-hearing the Beatles all these years?

[GreatLakesGramma]

That one reversed the usual pattern.