Here are three famous songs, all based directly on Bible texts we discussed today in class. "Turn, Turn, Turn" was a Top Ten hit for the Byrds in the 1960s. "Peace in the Valley" is probably the most famous of all Afro-American Gospel songs (written by the African American composer, Thomas Dorsey). "Down by the Riverside" is one of the most famous of all Afro-American Spirituals. You can find lyrics to any of these songs very easily by googling for them by their titles or title AND lyric. The links to the songs on youtube are below. Just click. There are other versions available also.
Turn, Turn, Turn (based on Ecclesiastes)
3:1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:
3:2 a time to be born,
and a time to die;
a time to plant,
and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3:3 a time to kill,
and a time to heal;
a time to break down,
and a time to build up;
3:4 a time to weep,
and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn,
and a time to dance;
3:8 a time to love,
and a time to hate;
a time for war,
and a time for peace.
Peace in the Valley Also here. (based on Isaiah)
11:6 The wolf will live with the lamb,
and the leopard will lie down with the young goat;
The calf, the young lion, and the fattened calf together;
and a little child will lead them.
Down by the Riverside (based on Isaiah)
2:4 He will judge between the nations,
and will decide concerning many peoples;
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more.
(Let my people go)
Oppressed so hard they could not stand
(Let my people go)
"Go down, Moses, way down in Egypt's land,
"Tell old Pharaoh, to let my people go.
"Thus spake the Lord," old Moses said
(Let my people go)
"If not I'll smite your firstborn dead."
(Let my people go)
Go down, Moses, way down in Egypt's land
Tell old Pharaoh, to let my people go.
Old Noah, what did he do? He built the floating zoo of camels and mammals and all kind of animals. That's what Noah done. He rescued two of a kind and had his boat designed for muskrats and polecats and bulldogs and alleycats.
Who done that? Noah? Who done that? Noah. Who done that? Noah. That's what Noah done.
There was no nothing in sight for 40 days and nights. So Noah, Noah just took a row about. That's what Noah done.
Who done that? Noah. Who done that? Noah. Who done that? Noah. That's what Noah done.
There was no nothing in sight for 40 days and nights. So Noah, Noah just took a row about. That's what Noah done.
When Noah had drifted on the flood many days, he searched for land in various ways. Troubles, he had some, but wasn't forgotten. He sent him his love on the wings of a dove.
On the wings of a snow-white dove, he sends his pure sweet love. A sign from above on the wings of a dove.
On the wings of a snow-white dove, He sends his pure, sweet love. A sign from above on the wings of a dove, on the wings of a dove, on the wings of a dove.
Listen to that rain, yeah!
Tell me didn't it rain, children? It rained all night long! You know it did! I say it did now! O my lord didn't it rain Didn't it rain children? It rained all night long! Tell me, I want to hear it? Well it rained 40 days ad 40 nights without stopping. Noah got worried when the rain kept a-dropping!
Sent out a raven, sent out a dove The waters from God came down from above. Calling my God when it started to rain. The women and the children began to scream.
They knocked on the windows and they rattled on the door. Cried, "Ooh, Noah, take on more!"
Noah, said, "No, no, my friends! God got to keep that number in!" Father Noah!
Oh, God's going to ride on that raven, child!
Tell me didn't it rain children? Listen to the rain! (repeat) You'd better get ready and bear ths in mind. God told Noah, the rain this time. It won't be water, the fire next time.* Talk about rain, in the east and in the west! It's going to rain, you'd better get ready. Talk about rain! Listen to the rain! Drip-drop! Tell me didn't it rain, children? All night long! Didn't it rain?
*[B]by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are set apart for fire, on the day of judgment of ungodly men" (2 Peter 3:5f.)
Well, God he put the rainbow in the cloud! Well, when it looked like the sun wasn't going to shine anymore Well, I say, God he put the rainbow in the cloud!
As a sign by day, and a sign by night, God he put the rainbow in the cloud Well, to lead and to guide his children right
God he put a rainbow in the cloud!
Well, I know it, God he put a rainbow in the cloud Yeah, God he put the rainbow in the cloud Well, when it looked like the sun wasn't going to shine anymore.
Well, I know it, God put the rainbow in the cloud Well, I know it, God he put the rainbow in the cloud Well God he put the rainbow in the cloud! Now when it looked like the sun wouldn't shine anymore. Well I know that God put a rainbow in the cloud!
GENESIS IN SONG
Week of 23 September 2008
Farther Along
The value of the Bible to many people is explained in this spoken prologue to a Gospel song, above: The Bible is a guidebook; it guides the believer on conduct in daily life.
It's a mirror where the believer see himself or herself.
It's a "microscope" and "telescope" because the Bible shows us the smallest and the biggest things. Jesus compared himself to a "lamp" and "the light of the worl."
The Bible is "fine poetry." The "letters" are the letters (mostly by Paul) in the New Testament.
There are biographies in the Bible. These are the four "Gospels" of the life of Jesus in the New Testament. The songs are the psalms, the most popular book in the Bible.
The sword is the sharp blade that cuts right from wrong.
Jesus was a carpenter (or the son of one). Hammers are used to build a strong foundation.
Finally, the "books" are the books of the Bible.
The new student of the Bible will learn that the Jewish Bible, at one time the only Bible, was later taken by Christians as the first Testament before Jesus. Thereafter it became known as the "Old Testament"; while the Testament about Jesus became the "New Testament." Moreover, Christians read many verses in the Old Testament as in some way foretelling Jesus or events in Jesus' life. This is called a typological reading. Objects or persons in the Old Testament are "types" of Jesus or the Christian experience. In this reading, for example, the famous Tree in Eden which brought death into the world due to Adam's sin, now brings life through the cross, as in this song. Note that Jesus' tree is always green and with fruit.
The tree of life my soul has seen, Laden with fruit and always green: The tree of life my soul has seen, Laden with fruit and always green. The trees of nature fruitless be, Compared with Christ, the Apple Tree. His beauty doth all things excel, By faith I know, but ne'er can tell: His beauty doth all things excel, By faith I know but ne'er can tell: The glory which I now can see, In Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree. For happiness I long have sought, And pleasure dearly I have bought: For happiness I long have sought, And pleasure dearly I have bought. I missed of all, but now I see 'Tis found in Christ, the Apple Tree. I'm weary with my former toil, Here I will sit and rest awhile: I'm weary with my former toil, Here I will sit and rest awhile. Under the shadow I will be, Of Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree. This fruit doth make my soul to thrive, It keeps my dying faith alive: This fruit doth make my soul to thrive, It keeps my dying faith alive. Which makes my soul in haste to be, With Jesus Christ the Apple Tree.
Turn, Turn, Turn (based on Ecclesiastes)
3:1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:
3:2 a time to be born,
and a time to die;
a time to plant,
and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3:3 a time to kill,
and a time to heal;
a time to break down,
and a time to build up;
3:4 a time to weep,
and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn,
and a time to dance;
3:8 a time to love,
and a time to hate;
a time for war,
and a time for peace.
Peace in the Valley Also here. (based on Isaiah)
11:6 The wolf will live with the lamb,
and the leopard will lie down with the young goat;
The calf, the young lion, and the fattened calf together;
and a little child will lead them.
Down by the Riverside (based on Isaiah)
2:4 He will judge between the nations,
and will decide concerning many peoples;
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more.
GO DOWN, MOSES
One of the most famous Afro-American spirituals. To hear this song, go here or here. Text follows. (Note the horns on Moses' forehead, from a mistranslation of the Hebrew word meaning "rays" or "light."
When Israel was in Egypt's landOne of the most famous Afro-American spirituals. To hear this song, go here or here. Text follows. (Note the horns on Moses' forehead, from a mistranslation of the Hebrew word meaning "rays" or "light."
(Let my people go)
Oppressed so hard they could not stand
(Let my people go)
"Go down, Moses, way down in Egypt's land,
"Tell old Pharaoh, to let my people go.
"Thus spake the Lord," old Moses said
(Let my people go)
"If not I'll smite your firstborn dead."
(Let my people go)
Go down, Moses, way down in Egypt's land
Tell old Pharaoh, to let my people go.
BIBLE SONGS: GENESIS
WEEK OF 30 SEPTEMBER 2008
WEEK OF 30 SEPTEMBER 2008
NOAH
The Bible has been a source of humor as well as wisdom. This is a comic song based on the story of Noah. It was recorded for the movie, Casablanca, but omitted. Old Noah, what did he do? He built the floating zoo of camels and mammals and all kind of animals. That's what Noah done. He rescued two of a kind and had his boat designed for muskrats and polecats and bulldogs and alleycats.
Who done that? Noah? Who done that? Noah. Who done that? Noah. That's what Noah done.
There was no nothing in sight for 40 days and nights. So Noah, Noah just took a row about. That's what Noah done.
Who done that? Noah. Who done that? Noah. Who done that? Noah. That's what Noah done.
There was no nothing in sight for 40 days and nights. So Noah, Noah just took a row about. That's what Noah done.
ON THE WINGS OF A DOVE
This song was a pop hit in the 1950s. The dove is a symbol in both the Old and New Testaments. For Christians, the Dove is the Holy Spirit.
On the wings of a snow-white dove, he sends his pure, sweet love. A sign from above on the wings of a dove. When troubles surround us, when evils come: the body grows weak, the spirit grows numb. When these things beset us, he doesn't forget us: he sends down his love on the wings of a dove. On the wings of a snow-white dove, he sends his pure, sweet love. A sign from above on the wings of a dove.This song was a pop hit in the 1950s. The dove is a symbol in both the Old and New Testaments. For Christians, the Dove is the Holy Spirit.
When Noah had drifted on the flood many days, he searched for land in various ways. Troubles, he had some, but wasn't forgotten. He sent him his love on the wings of a dove.
On the wings of a snow-white dove, he sends his pure sweet love. A sign from above on the wings of a dove.
On the wings of a snow-white dove, He sends his pure, sweet love. A sign from above on the wings of a dove, on the wings of a dove, on the wings of a dove.
DIDN'T IT RAIN?
Black Gospel. This song refers to the Flood in Genesis:
Didn't it rain, children? It rained all night long! O my Lord didn't it rain? Tell me didn't it rain, children? It rained all night long! You know it did! I said it did now! Well it rained 40 days and it rained 40 nights. There wasn't no land nowhere in sight. God sent a raven to spread the news. Bird spread his wings and away he flew. To the east, to the west, to the north, to the south. All day all night! Listen to the rain! In the north, in the south, in the east, it rained in the west!Black Gospel. This song refers to the Flood in Genesis:
Listen to that rain, yeah!
Tell me didn't it rain, children? It rained all night long! You know it did! I say it did now! O my lord didn't it rain Didn't it rain children? It rained all night long! Tell me, I want to hear it? Well it rained 40 days ad 40 nights without stopping. Noah got worried when the rain kept a-dropping!
Sent out a raven, sent out a dove The waters from God came down from above. Calling my God when it started to rain. The women and the children began to scream.
They knocked on the windows and they rattled on the door. Cried, "Ooh, Noah, take on more!"
Noah, said, "No, no, my friends! God got to keep that number in!" Father Noah!
Oh, God's going to ride on that raven, child!
Tell me didn't it rain children? Listen to the rain! (repeat) You'd better get ready and bear ths in mind. God told Noah, the rain this time. It won't be water, the fire next time.* Talk about rain, in the east and in the west! It's going to rain, you'd better get ready. Talk about rain! Listen to the rain! Drip-drop! Tell me didn't it rain, children? All night long! Didn't it rain?
*[B]by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are set apart for fire, on the day of judgment of ungodly men" (2 Peter 3:5f.)
GOD PUT A RAINBOW IN THE CLOUDS
This Black Gospel song refers to the Noachide Covenant, the first of 4 covenants in the Old Testament, between God and his people. The rainbow is a sign of that covenant. This is what is called an "etiological story": a story that explains a common event (rainbows appear after a rainstorm).
When God shut Noah in the grand old ark, God put a rainbow in the cloud! When the thunders rolled and the clouds were dark, God put a rainbow in the cloud! Well, I say, God he put a rainbow in the cloudThis Black Gospel song refers to the Noachide Covenant, the first of 4 covenants in the Old Testament, between God and his people. The rainbow is a sign of that covenant. This is what is called an "etiological story": a story that explains a common event (rainbows appear after a rainstorm).
Well, God he put the rainbow in the cloud! Well, when it looked like the sun wasn't going to shine anymore Well, I say, God he put the rainbow in the cloud!
As a sign by day, and a sign by night, God he put the rainbow in the cloud Well, to lead and to guide his children right
God he put a rainbow in the cloud!
Well, I know it, God he put a rainbow in the cloud Yeah, God he put the rainbow in the cloud Well, when it looked like the sun wasn't going to shine anymore.
Well, I know it, God put the rainbow in the cloud Well, I know it, God he put the rainbow in the cloud Well God he put the rainbow in the cloud! Now when it looked like the sun wouldn't shine anymore. Well I know that God put a rainbow in the cloud!
Week of 23 September 2008
Farther Along
The story is told of a young man who was preparing for a long trip. He told his friend,
"I am just about packed. I only have to put in a guidebook, a mirror, a microscope, a lamp, a telescope, a volume of fine poetry, a package of old letters, a few biographies, a book of songs, a sword, a hammer, and a set of books I've been studying."
"But you can't get all that into your bag," said his friend.
"Oh yes I can," he replied It doesn't take much room."
With that, he placed his Bible in the corner of his suitcase and closed the lid.
The value of the Bible to many people is explained in this spoken prologue to a Gospel song, above: The Bible is a guidebook; it guides the believer on conduct in daily life.
It's a mirror where the believer see himself or herself.
It's a "microscope" and "telescope" because the Bible shows us the smallest and the biggest things. Jesus compared himself to a "lamp" and "the light of the worl."
The Bible is "fine poetry." The "letters" are the letters (mostly by Paul) in the New Testament.
There are biographies in the Bible. These are the four "Gospels" of the life of Jesus in the New Testament. The songs are the psalms, the most popular book in the Bible.
The sword is the sharp blade that cuts right from wrong.
Jesus was a carpenter (or the son of one). Hammers are used to build a strong foundation.
Finally, the "books" are the books of the Bible.
IN THE BEGINNING
Three versions of the most famous opening in Western literature: the incipit (beginning) of Genesis. The first is a spoken version with musical accompaniment (also available in our library, without music). The second is a setting for chorus by the American composer, Aaron Copland. The final version has only the first line and is from the Austrian composer, Haydn's THE CREATION. Note how Haydn makes the word "light" stand out in his setting.In the beginning God created the Heaven and the earth and the earth was without form and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said let there be light and there was light. And God said let there be light and there was light. And God saw the light that it ws good. And God divided the light from the darkness. And God called the light day and the darkness he called night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
WEDLOCK
In this ballad, a text from Genesis is used to argue that woman should neither control man nor be abused by man:When Adam was created, he dwelt in Eden's shade (as Moses has related) before a bride was made. Ten thousand times ten thousand things wheeled all around, before a bride was formed, or yet a mate was found. He had no consolation but seemed as one alone. Till, to his admiration he found he'd lost a bone. Great was his exultation to see her by his side. Great was his elevation to have a loving bride.
This woman was not taken from Adam's head, we know: and she must not rule o'er him, it's evidently so. This woman she was taken from near to Adam's heart, by which we are directed that they should never part.
Jesus Christ, The Apple TreeThis woman was not taken from Adam's head, we know: and she must not rule o'er him, it's evidently so. This woman she was taken from near to Adam's heart, by which we are directed that they should never part.
The new student of the Bible will learn that the Jewish Bible, at one time the only Bible, was later taken by Christians as the first Testament before Jesus. Thereafter it became known as the "Old Testament"; while the Testament about Jesus became the "New Testament." Moreover, Christians read many verses in the Old Testament as in some way foretelling Jesus or events in Jesus' life. This is called a typological reading. Objects or persons in the Old Testament are "types" of Jesus or the Christian experience. In this reading, for example, the famous Tree in Eden which brought death into the world due to Adam's sin, now brings life through the cross, as in this song. Note that Jesus' tree is always green and with fruit.
These final songs are from the Broadway musical about Adam and Eve called The Apple Tree. In the first song, newly created Eve marvels at the beauty of her world. In the second song, the snake tempts Eve to eat the apple. Notice the snake's hiss or rattle at the beginning of the song. Note, although the fruit is often called an apple, there is no mention of the kind of fruit in Genesis. But apples have gotten a bad reputation ever since.
HERE IN EDEN
(Eve)
So many creatures, so many things, each wondrous object is beautiful and striking and I see nothing that isn't to my liking, here in Eden. There's plums and peaches and pears and grapes, so ripe and juicy and utterly inviting. I find the apples especially exciting here in Eden. HERE IN EDEN
(Eve)
FORBIDDEN FRUIT
(The snake)
Listen closely let me fill you in about the rich ripe round red rosy apples they call forbidden fruit, what I'm about to say is confidential so promise you'll be mute, because if every creature in the garden knows, they'll come round like hungry buffalos and in no time there'll be none of those precious apples left for you and me. Now in the average apple you're accustomed to skins, seeds, flesh and core. But you will find that these are special apples that give you something more. Why every seed contains some information that you need to speed your education, the seeds indeed of all creation are here. Why be foolish, my dear? Come with me to that tree.(The snake)
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