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Saturday, December 20, 2008

It started with a little project called Phantasmagorical Freek Friday and all I could think about was music, memories, and more music. Like I always do when I'm analyzing things, I started with my childhood first and then worked forward chronologically.(There is an interesting reason for this, but we will save that for another day)

Have you ever sat and tried to pinpoint the very first musical experience that you can remember? Go back, way back. If you have kids, or are around kids, you know music is part of a baby’s life from practically day one. Musical mobiles; toys; and momma’s sweet voice singing. But what is the first musical memory you can actually recall?

I think mine is my mom singing to my sister and I before bed as we looked out the window at the moon.
I see the moon
The moon sees me
God made the moon
And God made me

As I searched for that first musical memory, the most memorable songs were Christmas songs. Apropos for the season, I guess. Maybe they came up more because we sing the same songs year after year.

I remember Up on the House top and Frosty, but the most intriguing carols were about a babe born in a manger on a cold winter’s night in a barn. Those carols were mostly quieter melodies with mysterious lyrics. The story fascinated me. Who was this baby sleeping? Why was He so important?

Silent Night. There is an early memory. All is calm. Lot’s of things about growing up were not calm, so all things calm and bright got my attention. These were some of the first seeds of Faith planted in my heart. I was in as much awe as those blessed sheep herders were. I stood in Church near my mom and her amazing alto voice and my dad’s beautiful belting tenor. All of us were facing forward, no choir, no band, just four-part, a cappella harmony in a mass of 60-100 Christians praising the new born Lord. Great memories!

My favorite songs have always been Joy to the World and O Holy Night.
These days I am really a Scrooge about Christmas music. I think it is because it starts November 1st and mostly it is not played to remind me of Jesus’ birthday, but to remind me to spend money I don’t have. I mean for me,I want Christmas to be: “Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born!” These are my favorite lyrics and melody of all time.

I wrote this blog last night in a notebook. It is five pages long, so I think I’ll stop here and spare you any more torture. It was just fun looking back. And, as always, I'd love to hear any thoughts you care to/have time to share.

10 comments:

Alison said...

I'm with you..."O Holy Night" is my favorite. And this isn't torture; I hope you post some more of what you wrote this week.
I realized this year that now I'm more drawn to Christmas songs that are haunting, songs like "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel." ...Or maybe if it starts with "O" that seals the deal.

Travis said...

I think What Child is This trumps most of them, but that's a hard call.

My most earliest (bad grammar) music memory is when we went pic-nicing when I was a wee little lad and my dad played his guitar and we sang church hymns. I was probably 4, maybe earlier.

Avily Jerome said...

My first musical memory that I can really pinpoint is learning to play "Fur Elise" on the piano...

That was the first song I memorized. Now I can play it upside down and backwards.

KM Wilsher said...

Alison, "...Or maybe if it starts with "O" that seals the deal." LOL I loved that! You know, this Sunday they did "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" and I thought I may have never heard it. My mom said they just "didn't do it in the traditionally way" but I loved it. I'm going to look it up! Thanks for the comments!

Travis, What Child is this, yes, another haunting melody with great lyrics. How cute the picture of you and your dad singing church hymns! Thanks for stopping by!

AJerome, Fur Elise? You are truly multi dimensional! I would love to hear you play it sometime. Especially backwards! JK LOL I can't wait for the day to hear you play/sing! Thank you for sharing!

Kathryn Hupp-Harris said...

My first musical memory is Sa-Sa-Sa-Saturday Ni- ight from the Bay City Rollers.

But as for Christmas music, my mom had a copy of a children's choir singing The Little Drummer Boy. To this day, I haven't found another version I like better.

This afternoon I will be practicing music for Christmas Eve services with my 13-year-old daughter and a friend of ours from church. I feel so blessed to pass on the love of music -- especially Christmas music -- to my children.

KM Wilsher said...

What a blessing, Kat, to sing with your daughter! (was that the one that they spelled out Saturday?
S-A
T-U-R
D-A-Y...
Night?)
Thanks for sharing! I love The Little Drummer Boy. Do you remember the cartoon TV show every year?

Kathryn Hupp-Harris said...

Yes. S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y night!

Oh no. Now it's stuck in my head.

I vaguely remember the cartoon show. There's a lot of useless information floating around in my brain. :-) I'm sure it's in there somewhere.

Amy Deardon said...

Gee, I can't even remember. I have a few fluttered memories -- my dad playing old records of Carpenters and Mama Cass --but I never was drawn his stuff (although they're not bad singers...) Music has always been part of me. I listened to a lot of baroque as a kid, and sang/played my own songs. Mom didn't sing, so no lullabies. I'm sorry, I can't remember :-(

Merry Christmas!

KM Wilsher said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
KM Wilsher said...

Kat ~I remember doing a cheer/dance with the neighborhood girls to that hee hee S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y. . .Night!great times! I love that song. You know who I was thinking about the other day? Aldo Nova. Do you remember them?

Amy ~Sounds like an eclectic mix. Baroque? Very mysterious and unique! My parents listened to the Carpenters and Momma Cass too. . .I still hold a place for Karen and Miss Cass -- just their stories about their struggles with eating disorders. You are too cool! Thanks for sharing!