One of my favorite things to do, since childhood, has been to listen to the words being said in songs. And not just listen to them, but really try to digest them—break them down and listen to the stories being told. I think I must get this from my parents. Growing up, I'd get in the car with my mom or dad and they'd have a song. "Steph, I just found this song and it's so cool! Listen to the words..." (They still do that to this day.) So at a very young age, I grew up listening to everything from Patsy Cline to Pink Floyd. Broken heart ballads to antiestablishment rock songs. So when I was old enough to drive, I took on that tradition—when friends would get in my car, sure enough, I'd have them listen to a song and tell me what they thought. It's one of my favorite pastimes. Thus a blog is born...
Initial information: most entries won't be so long, I promise!
Before we go any further, I should tell you this blog will only be around until December. This is an exercise for me—preparing me for a big project next year. While going to grad school, I plan on issuing a blog about my other passion: health care. It will be a big project, interviewing various professionals, writing about what I have studied in my degrees, independent research, and discussing all types of health care philsophies. So consider this a learning exercise, and a fun one at that! Just know it won't continue after the new year.
Now the important stuff. The purpose of this blog is to take songs that you may or may not know, and discuss them. I will post the lyrics, and probably a brief history of the band. I ask that you please comment with your thoughts and ideas as to what the song means to you—if you like it or dislike it and why, or if you can personally relate to it.
One thing I do want to quickly address: this is not an appropriate place to get on a soap box on politics, religion, etc. This is just for fun—an exercise. Something to do when you have a spare moment. You may not like or agree with the songs I choose, the lyrics, etc. But that's okay, we all come from different backgrounds and like or listen to different bands and songs for different reasons. And that's a great thing! Music breaks down barriers and allows you to step into a story and just imagine. Some are meaningful, some not. I certainly can't relate to all the songs I listen to, but it's fun to listen anyway—to put yourself in another person's shoes. Again, I welcome feedback, and hope you will let me know what you think! Just respect the opinions of others, as your posts will be shown to everyone after reviewed. (I will be viewing all the posts before they are published in case you would like to leave a personal comment just for me.) Also note, when posting song lyrics I may use punctuation at my discretion.
That being said, let's begin! I plan on using songs from all different genres. If you don't like the genre one week, wait until the next and it will be something totally different. And let me know if there is a band or song that you think would be good, and I will absolutely consider it. Music is communal—it's for everyone!
Our first song choice: Teach Your Children performed by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
I dedicate this week's song to my parents.
Parenting isn't easy. Though I'm not a parent myself, I remember my childhood well and know I was quite the handful. When raising a child, there are so many questions, challenges and decisions to make.
Here is some information on the song from Wikipedia:
"Teach Your Children" is a song by Graham Nash. Although it was written when Nash was a member of The Hollies, it was never recorded by that group, and first appeared on the album Deja Vu by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young released in 1970." For further information on the history of the song, it can be found at www.wikipedia.org.
__________________________
Teach Your Children
by Graham Nash
You, who are on the road
Must have a code
That you can live by.
And so, become yourself
Because the past
Is just a goodbye.
Teach, your children well
Their father's hell
Did slowly go by.
And feed them on your dreams
The one they pick's
The one you'll know by.
Don't you ever ask them why
If they told you, you would die.
So just look at them and sigh
And know they love you.
And you (Can you hear and)
Of tender years (Do you care and)
Can't know the fears (Can you see we)
That your elders grew by (Must be free to)
And so please help (Teach your children)
Them with your youth (You believe and)
They seek the truth (Make a world that)
Before they can die (We can live in)
Teach your parents well
Their children’s hell
Will slowly go by.
And feed them on your dreams
The one they pick's
The one you’ll know by.
Don’t you ever ask them why
If they told you, you would cry.
So just look at them and sigh
And know they love you.
*Lyrics provided by www.azlyrics.com
______________________
What are your thoughts? Do you agree with the lyrics? What's your favorite line? Can you relate?
My challenge for this week: Think of one memory you have of either being a child or of raising your own child, and share that with a friend or family member.
Also, here is a performance on YouTube by Crosby, Stills & Nash.
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5 comments:
I think this song means you're awesome! ;-)
Seriously, it's obviously a song about parenting. But, more importantly, it's about the parents role as teacher; as someone who is transferring all the knowledge and wisdom they can't take when they die to the younger generation. It's also a reminder to children, to heed the words.
It also, to me, seems somewhat nostalgic for a type of childhood, a type of parent, that either the songwriter or main character of the song, never had.
Those are my thoughts, most importantly: you rock!
Well yes Steph you are a pretty awesome gal so let me just get that out of the way.
As far as the song goes...well, I like it although I have never heard it!!! Can you believe that???
At anyrate...I think it serves a valuable purpose to point out to people the importance of learning from each other. As a child I lived in many of my own personal hell's but as a monther I have also experienced those same feelings about other decisions, events and people in my life. To me the song humanizes everyone in saying that no one is perfect but we can learn from our mistakes and pass that wisdom along to someone who might need it.
Love you and can't wait to see you!!!
Wow - very impressed with this initiative, Steph! Great thought and creativity...I love this song too...it definitely took me back to easier times...
I believe there was a lot going on in the world when this song came out, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young were deep in the heart of it and not afraid to make a statement...or share their visions and beliefs.
Now about my interpretation...I think the song speaks of knowing who you are and what you stand for, yet having the knowledge and history of where you came from - and finding a way to blend or intertwine the fabric of both...to continue to respect heritage yet, be independent in thought and beliefs...not question...accept, live and love. (Im starting to sound like a beatles song now!) I do remember playing "Patsy Cline" cassettes and then switching over to "Vivaldi" or "Gary Puckett and Union Gap!" lol Guess it did broaden your appreciation of all genres! Great job! Can't wait to revisit! =)
Nice. What a perfect blog for you Steph! I remember you and Bethany in the backseat, eyes closed, listening to Pink Floyd and telling me after, what you saw. You were both, 10 maybe?
This song really touches my soul. Has since the first time I heard it. Nice touch with the clip! They were (are) so good at harmonizing.
Teach your children well. Teach your parents well. It's a two way street, even though their next album was "4 Way Street". Ha. Children should be learning from their previous generations. I fear a lot of that is lost. It's about respect. Something you've always been good at. The older I get, the wiser I realize my parents and grandparents were. Though times change in many ways, much doesn't. Like right and wrong. My heart breaks for any kids growing up with no one to teach them.
And grown-ups should not miss the chance to learn from the generation behind them. They are learning things at a faster rate than we ever dreamed of. There is a lot they can teach us too. In the big picture, we're all babes.
My favorite line though? Feed them on your dreams. Plant a heritage in them that will carry on for generations. Teach them to dream and not get stuck inside the box. Teach them to challenge thought (not authority) and to make sure they know why they believe the way they do.
And one more line that hits the spot. You who are on the road must have a code that you can live by. I had several "codes" in my life and today still have some. There were days my codes kept me alive. Days they kept friendships in place. Like never steal your buddies girlfriend!
Be blessed. Sorry to babble. It's been a very long day. Nice project. I can't wait to see where it goes!
Great job Steph! Sorry it took me so long to respond! I am very impressed with this and I actually found myself more relaxed after reading your blog! Your wording and the music along with it makes me miss you even more, but in a good way. You are so talented and this is the beginning of great things for you! Keep it up!
About the song..I have never heard it, but I do like it a lot! Your dad basically stole the words right out of my mouth, but I'm not afraid of redundancy..haha.
Everyone knows that you are supposed to teach your kids throughout their lives. Everyone knows that they watch you and repeat every step and word that you take or say. We know that how they are taught as children will roughly shape them as an adult.
What people forget is that children can teach us more than we could ever imagine. The innocence and naive way about them is something that we will never experience again as adults. We have been "tainted", if you will, by society (and the news)! Remember how when you were a kid, the only thing you had to "Hurry" for was finding a hiding spot before you were tagged? As adults, we are in a hurry every day of our lives. We envy them at times and live vicariously through them for a reason (phycho pageant moms aside). We hope that they don't make our mistakes and that they reach goals and dreams that we were somehow unable to reach. When we see them succeed, or even make mistakes, we learn it all over again. It gives us hope and we then recognize our true potentials as teachers AND learners.
I'll end there, I too am a SERIOUS babbler. Great job Steph!
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