SINGING TRANSCENDS CULTURES
Sing is the prompt for Five Minute Friday this week. Singing transcends all cultures and brings people together. I remember singing this chorus in my church when I was a teen. I don’t know who wrote it, but it was on the back of our small chorus book.
Sing when the day is bright
Sing thro’ the darkest night
Every day, all the way
Let us sing! Sing! Sing!
MUSIC SPEAKS TO ALL
There is something about music that transcends all cultures and peoples. Music can speak when you don’t know the language. And when singing isn’t possible, a smile also goes far to reach other people.
My sons love to listen to a *Japanese group and have many of their albums. They are learning the words, but even without knowing them they are drawn to this group. My youngest said he read the translation of some of the songs and found that they have hope in them. Somehow, he seemed to know that anyway, even before he read the words.
A song can brighten our spirits even when we don’t feel like singing.
I love to listen to music when I’m in the car whether alone or with others. When I’m alone, driving somewhere, I often put the music up loud and sing along. I’ve even been know to move a little with the music. It loosens me up and lifts my spirits.
SINGING TRANSCENDS CULTURES AND COMES IN MANY STYLES
I listen to a variety of music from Louis Armstrong, Cliff Richard, Downhere, Tenth Avenue North, Michael Card, Fernando Ortega, Gungor, Switchfoot and many others. There is something about music and singing that reaches almost everyone.
*The Japanese group is MUCC. I’d like to share one of their popular songs called Yasashii Uta, which in English means Gentle Song. It sounds very upbeat and happy.
Below are a few of the lyrics translated into English. The whole translation can be found HERE.
The people who walk the streets, without change
With grim faces and a quick pace
Where are they walking off to?
What are they walking for?Hey, please listen! Let’s stop and stand here just a bit longer.
Lalala lalala, we sing under totally different skies.Everyone has a singing voice
Here and now, let it resound
With singing, you’ll be able to become just a little bit stronger. Let me hear it, your unique song.
We all have our own special song which is the unique story of our lives. May we let our praise ring out to our glorious Lord, who gives us life and hope and carries us through even the dark days.
I’m linking up with: #FiveMinuteFriday, #Glimpses, #InspireMeMonday, #MomentsofHope, #LMMLinkup, #TeaAndWord, #RaRaLinkup, #CoffeeforYourHeart, #porchstories, #HeartEncouragement, #TuneInThursday, #FreshMarketFriday
Sharing your inspirational post! 🙂
Wow, thanks Bette! I appreciate it. 🙂
Blessings!
Music and singing truly do encourage us in our spirits, Gayl. And it looks like we listen to some of the same musical artists, though I’ve never listened to the Japanese group you’ve shared with us. You have an interesting and diverse taste in music, my friend!
Oh, and I like you new place. I clicked on your gravatar at my blog and it sent me to your old blog. Just thought you might want to know that, so that others will find your new home easier! 😉
Thanks for visiting, Beth! Yes, I like many kinds of music. 🙂 Nice that we have some of the same tastes in music.
I still do have my old blog available, and the gravatar there is for disqus. I don’t have disqus with this WordPress blog so I don’t know if I should change the link. Maybe I could look into getting disqus here, too. Thanks for pointing that out.
Blessings to you! Have a great week ahead!
I love Gungor. Music is such a gift. I love singing along with the radio too. This Japanese group looks cool. I’ll have to check out this song. I’m in the 49 spot this week.
Yes, I think I remember your sharing some of Gungor on your blog, exp. “Beautiful Things” which is a great song.
Thanks for being here, Tara. I’m off to check out your post!
Blessings to you!
There is truly something magical about music in bridging gaps. When I lived in Spain, when I felt lost/homesick, I would play the piano in the dorm chapel and I would always find several who’d snuck into the room to listen – those that normally didn’t interact with me much, and I’m not very good! 🙂
Thanks for the simple beauty of your words.
I agree that music is magical in helping to bridge gaps. That’s a lovely story about when you played the piano and others would sneak in and listen. Thanks for sharing it with me. 🙂 Music really does help to soothe and comfort sometimes, doesn’t it?
Blessings to you, Carol, and have a great week!
Thank you Gayl for sharing this beautiful post, and the sweet Japanese song. It reminds me of some of the Cambodian music that my Vietnamese daughter-in-law listens to. It is so special when someone shares their favorite songs with you, isn’t it? It’s like being invited into a special room in their heart. Those songs bridge gaps between us. And I enjoy listening to those same groups that you do! Blessings, hugs and Love to you! xo
Bettie, I’m glad you enjoyed the post and the song. It is special to share favorite songs with others, and they definitely bridge gaps. I’ve learned to enjoy a lot of the songs my sons like, and I think it helps keep us close. 🙂
I’m not surprised that you and I like a lot of the same groups. 🙂 That’s great!
I hope you have a wonderful week filled with blessings. Love and hugs to you, dear friend! xoxo
Gayl, what a lovely, joy filled post this is! The Japanese group were fun to listen to to. And though their styles are dissimilar, they reminded me of the Scottish group, Runrig, whose lyrics are partly in Celtic and in English. Maybe you’ve heard of them? We have a fairly eclectic taste in music and love a lot of the groups our younger son does too. I share an interest in most of the groups you’ve mentioned here, and I also love Leonard Cohen, Third Day and Casting Crowns. Songwriting is another form of poetry, so the lyrics are especially meaningful to me. Thank you for sharing a taste of the musical background to your days. Blessings, love and hugs to you. Keep on singing, sweet friend! xoxo
Thanks, Joy! I’m glad you enjoyed the post and the music. 🙂 I have not heard of that Scottish group so I’ll have to check them out. I’m not surprised we like some of the same groups. 🙂 Some I failed to mention are Ken Medema, who is a blind composer/singer/musician with a wonderful ministry, and I love the sound of Pentatonix.
Yes, I’m with you on how meaningful the lyrics are. Sometimes they are what draw me to a song and not necessarily the musical talent. The words are so important to me, and maybe the poetry has something to do with it, as you mentioned.
I will keep singing and you do the same! Blessings to you, my dear friend! xoxo
music truly does transcend the cultures. I’ve experienced it! You can see on their faces that you have connected with them!
Yes, it is truly amazing, I think. 🙂
Blessings to you, Mandy! Thanks for visiting.
Pretty sure I have had more than one horn honked at me for spacing out while singing at a stop light. Music has a way of making us forget our surroundings and drowning out the rest of the noise 🙂
It’s so fun to sing in the car, isn’t it? 🙂 You’re right, music does seem to take us right out of our surroundings in a way.
Have a wonderful rest of the week and may you be blessed!
Gayle,
Indeed, music is a universal language. Not only does it bridge the gap of language barrier, but it becomes a catalyst for embracing cultural understanding. How wonderful that your sons are learning Japanese while listening to music. My brother lived in Japan for several years (and married a Japanese woman). He has introduced us to the culture through music.
Stephanie, you’re so right! That’s cool about your brother and how he has used music to introduce you to the culture. That’s how my sons are. My youngest went to Japan for a month with a summer program. My middle son is planning to study for a year at a university there through an exchange with Clemson Univ, where he attends now.
I love how music brings people together from different cultures and walks of life. Thanks for sharing about your family.
Blessings!
Move a little? I get my groove on, especially in the kitchen!
Yes, well, maybe move a lot??!!! Music just makes you want to move and really perks me up!
Blessings to you, dear Susan! xoxo
Yes, I love how music transcends cultures. Beautiful words.
Thank you, April! I don’t know what I would do without music. 🙂
Blessings to you!
Music truly is an universal language as is a smile! I have always loved music even though I have a poor voice compared to most, yet I can sing so well in the car when I am alone! I played clarinet, bassoon, piano, guitar, and loved the various types of music that was played with each instrument. I have grown up appreciating so many types. Thanks for such an encouraging word.
Isn’t it fun to sing while alone in the car??!! 🙂 No one else can hear but we can sing to our heart’s content. I have also always loved music. You play quite a few instruments. That must have been fun! My instrument of choice is the piano. I’ve played since I was a child. I think it’s nice to enjoy a variety of types of music. There is so much in this world.
Thanks for visiting, Linda! Many blessings to you!
Gayl – so beautiful and yes, there is most definitely something about music that transcends to touch people where mere words do not.
I am so glad you could join the party last week at #TuneInThursday. I am so sorry it has taken me so long to get around to commenting on your post, I had a retreat I was speaking at this past weekend, and it put me behind a few days.
Thanks, Debbie. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Music is wonderful, and I would hate to be without it!
Blessings to you!