The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-10-07
THE GREAT POWER OF SONG.

II6 INGS W SSINNS
The power of song is inestimable.
Singing exerts a surprisingly great in
fluence upon the life of a man. 1t is
the expression of feeling in melody.
1t is natural for man to give vent to
feelings aroused in his heart in song
or lamentation, or again it is possible
for him to arouse feelings in his
heart by joyous canticle or melan-
chOlic chant. Already in the time of
the ancient Greeks this power of mu-
sic was understood and practiced.
Their choruses prepared the audience
for the scenes which were to be
enacted by exciting the proper dis
positions through singing. Again,
the Church has always recognized
music as a handmade in her liturgy
and has therefore always given much
attention to the music used in her di-
vine services. And the nation finds it
only natural that it should herald its
sentiments of patriotism and love of
country in stirring national songs and
anthems.
The conviction of the power of song
in the face of these facts forces itself
upon us with more than ordinary
stress. There are several suggestions
which present themselves in connec-
ton with a consideration of this kind.
The one that the practice of singing
ought to be encouraged and fostered.
This appertains especially to school
children. Children should be taught
to sing. But as song influences the
life of man, it is paramount that a
selection of songs based On this con-
viction be used. Religious songs and
hymns ought, therefore, be given the
hymns of a religious character are
being supplanted by s~o-called more
modern secular songs; and this, too,
in some of our Catholic schools.
Good Morning, Merry Sunshine" as
the opening song at school in the
morning may be tolerable; it will,
perhaps, encourage a love of nature.
But it surely smacks of the survivor
shippers, although certainly not in.
tended nor cOmprehended in that
sense. How much more profitable
would be a hymn of praise and inter.
cession to the Sacred Heart or His
Blessed Mother, whose sweet memory
might endure throughout the entire
day!
After religious songs in Importance
are the patriotic songs and anthems
This means of fostering patriotism
and love for country is not to be neg
lected. These songs, beside being cal
culated to arouse sentiments of 10y
atty for ones country, are clean
manly and utterly lacking %sensuality
they can but exercise a good influ
ence on character of either boy or girl
Besides, these are songs which never
grow old and if a love for them is en-
gendered, viii be sung more or less
throughout life. How much better
the lives of men would be if the songs
in vogue were such as these rather
than the amorous and sensual ditties
so much sung noWadaysi If the for
mer have an influence for good, il
will readily be understood how the lat
ter must have an influence in melting
to the sensuality and Oft-timeS las
c%iviousness which is their theme an(
time. Oh! for the days Of virile
n such as inspired the writer's anC
of former days and which
exerted an influence for the good an(
noble which was not lost upon thu
singer.
The other class of songs having al
theme the birds or the bees, the fields
or the trees, is to be commended mas
far as it teaches a love for nature
which is an asset for any child. Thu
nursery rhymes and ditties are no
without their beauty and attraction
for children.
If we must sing, and most people
do, let the songs be such as will bene
fit the character of the singer and b.
expressive of what is good and noble
1t is not only not sinful but ever yer,
beneficial to sing religious hymns il
our house. Besides to sing goot
songs while at work seems to lighter
our task, promotes cheerfulness AM
keeps n in good humor.
Learn the power of song. 1t will
tend to keep you happy and cheerful
But remember we'll, to have this goot
effect the song must be select, clear
and noble. The modern trash will, OF
the contrary, produce, if anything,
bad influence because it has neithe
literary nor musical merit, neither al
enrolling nor ~elevating effect.
George Albert.