Little Song Soapbox

As a kid I had a lot of trouble getting the lyrics of music.  I knew a lot of tunes, but unless the song was in the church hymnal, I never knew all the words, especially if it was something I only heard on the radio.  So I'd just bee-bop along and with the few words I understood,  In retrospect it's probably a good thing we didn't have a decent sound system in the house or cars.

Now that I've been an adult for a few years I truly abhor the messages of some catchy tunes I enjoyed as a teenager.  Sure, I would hear the occasional preacher denounce this or that song - much harder stuff than I listen to - because of its bad message. At the time I didn't ask myself (and of course not the "authorities") how they knew a song was bad.  Did they take the word of someone else? Did (gasp!) they listen to it themselves?

The world may never know.  And that's ok -  not really a big deal in the grand scheme of things.

What gets me though is the number of older Christian tunes I now take issue with.  For all the denunciation of modern Christian music being repetitious and shallow,  there's plenty of popular old time gospel songs that fit the same bill.  I don't think any of the musicians or singers intended to create something with an improper or shallow message, but it did happen.

Take the chorus of this goldie oldie for example:

"And now its sunshine and roses,
Only a thorn now and then;
Cool Streams, warm breezes,
Since Jesus took my hand
Green meadows and laughter
Hope within a crumbling time
And now its sunshine and roses,
Only a thorn now and then."

Sunshine and roses.  Really?  I hope my brothers and sisters in Africa, Asia and the Middle East who have suffered the loss of parents, children, brothers and sisters know that.  I'm sure life is a green meadow full of laughter for them.  Tell the believers in China that the thorns are few.

And it's no wonder the so called prosperity gospel has flourished with bad doctrine like this making the charts in whats still a very popular industry.

Maybe I'm super sensitive because I'm not feeling well.  Maybe I've heard too much four part harmony as my hubby indulges in his love for this genera.  Maybe I'm more discerning about messages at this point in my life or maybe I'm just being a crab.  I don't know-  maybe I will know tomorrow.

But for now I just know that more than ever, I pay attention.  If I can understand the words I'm analyzing them.  And just because it's old don't mean its good.  And just because its new don't mean its bad.  What counts when it comes to music, any music, is the message.  What is the message it delivers to the heart of the listener?

 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.   Philippians 4:8