Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

alp227

(32,037 posts)
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 04:05 PM Dec 2013

Parents in Kings Park furious when school changes "Silent Night" lyrics (removing Jesus from lyrics)

KINGS PARK (WABC) -- There is anger at a Long Island school because they changed the words to the song "Silent Night."

The district says it was to avoid offending people but it seems like it did the opposite.

Parents are so confused that 5th graders at RJO Intermediate School in Kings Park recently performed the song "Silent Night" with all religious words like Christ, God and Jesus taken out.

Dan Gallo, a parent of one of the students was completely offended by it.

"There is so many Christmas songs. Why would you change the lyrics to something that is very near and dear to so many people?" said Gallo.

full: http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local/long_island&id=9366446

Hmm. One comment on the article says, "They didn't change the lyrics. Those lyrics on the paper are the SECOND VERSE OF THE SONG." Turns out this story could be just plain media malpractice and clickbait. Just like Bill O'Reilly's 2005 Silent Night hoax.

20 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Parents in Kings Park furious when school changes "Silent Night" lyrics (removing Jesus from lyrics) (Original Post) alp227 Dec 2013 OP
Bush: "Is our children learning?" Parent: "There is so many Christmas songs." CurtEastPoint Dec 2013 #1
This is ridiculous atreides1 Dec 2013 #2
The Carrot Board and the Coal Industry put a lot of money into that song jberryhill Dec 2013 #6
Not quite a war on Christmas, but shitty for the school to do. Glassunion Dec 2013 #3
"changing the words" jberryhill Dec 2013 #5
Do you think translating = changing? Glassunion Dec 2013 #7
cultural products are not immutable jberryhill Dec 2013 #8
I agree. But what's your point? Glassunion Dec 2013 #13
I just don't get why folks get worked up over this nonsense jberryhill Dec 2013 #19
Maybe because the school specifically picked a religious song Glassunion Dec 2013 #20
The original lyrics aren't English in the first place jberryhill Dec 2013 #4
ohhh heeey fugedabotit. -- Forget it Jake, it's Long Island. nt TeamPooka Dec 2013 #9
Jake is on Long Island? Glassunion Dec 2013 #14
If you want a nonreligious song, sing Jingle Bells, or Rudolph, Nye Bevan Dec 2013 #10
They chose a religious song but cleansed it of all religious reference LittleBlue Dec 2013 #11
to provoke controversy SoCalDem Dec 2013 #16
Apparently they combined pieces of the first and second verses. FarCenter Dec 2013 #12
Well, "heavenly hosts sing Alleluia" is still kind of religious, no? Nye Bevan Dec 2013 #17
Yes, how is that not religious? kcr Dec 2013 #18
Simple solution.. Leave the religious songs to church.. insert secular songs SoCalDem Dec 2013 #15

atreides1

(16,084 posts)
2. This is ridiculous
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 04:19 PM
Dec 2013

It's a traditional song for Christmas...it isn't promoting religion anymore then Frosty the Snowman promotes magic hats!!!

 

jberryhill

(62,444 posts)
6. The Carrot Board and the Coal Industry put a lot of money into that song
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 06:16 PM
Dec 2013

The Carrot Board estimates that sales of carrots exceed monthly averages by 200% due to this song's suggestion of non-consumptive carrot use.

Glassunion

(10,201 posts)
3. Not quite a war on Christmas, but shitty for the school to do.
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 04:38 PM
Dec 2013

Why would the school choose a religious song in the first place? Then go through the trouble of changing the words so they would not offend? Just pick a different song, then no one gets poutraged at the offense.

 

jberryhill

(62,444 posts)
5. "changing the words"
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 06:15 PM
Dec 2013

These are the "unchanged" lyrics:

1. Stille Nacht! Heil'ge Nacht!
Alles schläft; einsam wacht
Nur das traute hoch heilige Paar.
Holder Knab' im lockigen Haar,
|: Schlafe in himmlischer Ruh! :|

2. Stille Nacht! Heil'ge Nacht!
Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht
Lieb' aus deinem göttlichen Mund,
Da uns schlägt die rettende Stund'.
|: Jesus in deiner Geburt! :|

3. Stille Nacht! Heil'ge Nacht!
Die der Welt Heil gebracht,
Aus des Himmels goldenen Höhn,
Uns der Gnaden Fülle läßt sehn,
|: Jesum in Menschengestalt! :|

4. Stille Nacht! Heil'ge Nacht!
Wo sich heut alle Macht
Väterlicher Liebe ergoß,
Und als Bruder huldvoll umschloß
|: Jesus die Völker der Welt! :|

5. Stille Nacht! Heil'ge Nacht!
Lange schon uns bedacht,
Als der Herr vom Grimme befreit
In der Väter urgrauer Zeit
|: Aller Welt Schonung verhieß! :|

6. Stille Nacht! Heil'ge Nacht!
Hirten erst kundgemacht
Durch der Engel Alleluja,
Tönt es laut bei Ferne und Nah:
|: "Jesus der Retter ist da!" :|

Glassunion

(10,201 posts)
7. Do you think translating = changing?
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 06:28 PM
Dec 2013

The song was sung simultaneously in French, English and German by troops during the Christmas truce of 1914 during World War I, as it was one carol that soldiers on both sides of the front line knew.

Do you think these French, English and German solders would have known the words that this school changed them to? Each knew their translation of the same carol. The words were the same, the language was what was different.

 

jberryhill

(62,444 posts)
8. cultural products are not immutable
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 06:35 PM
Dec 2013

Translation is an art, which is why translations count as sufficiently distinct derivative works to be independently subject to copyright.

Glassunion

(10,201 posts)
20. Maybe because the school specifically picked a religious song
Sat Dec 21, 2013, 01:32 AM
Dec 2013

Then deliberately changed the words so not to offend the non religious or those from a different religion. It was just a shitty thing to do.

Nye Bevan

(25,406 posts)
10. If you want a nonreligious song, sing Jingle Bells, or Rudolph,
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 06:43 PM
Dec 2013

or Santa Claus is Coming to Town, or any of a million others. Changing the words of a religious carol is not necessary and will just piss people off.

 

LittleBlue

(10,362 posts)
11. They chose a religious song but cleansed it of all religious reference
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 06:45 PM
Dec 2013

Er... why sing the song then?

 

FarCenter

(19,429 posts)
12. Apparently they combined pieces of the first and second verses.
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 06:50 PM
Dec 2013

Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ the Savior is born!
Christ the Savior is born

To get this:

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace

kcr

(15,318 posts)
18. Yes, how is that not religious?
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 07:41 PM
Dec 2013

And none of them had ever heard that second verse?

Manufactured outrage clickbait alert

SoCalDem

(103,856 posts)
15. Simple solution.. Leave the religious songs to church.. insert secular songs
Fri Dec 20, 2013, 07:04 PM
Dec 2013

There are MANY great Xmas songs that are not religious, but that impart the benevolence of the season..and will not offend ANYONE..

These people are deliberately provoking "controversy" where none need be..

Buzzfeed posted 19 of them.. all great

http://www.buzzfeed.com/donnad/the-best-secular-christmas-songs

and here's a whole page of them:

http://listeninglab.stantons.com/choral-music/seasonal/secular-christmas/


'Twas The Night Before Christmas

Composer: Darby, Ken
Arranger: Simeone, Harry
All I Want For Christmas Is You

Arranger: Huff, Mac
All I Want Is Nuttin'

Arranger: Albrecht, Sally K
Series: Holiday
All Is Merry And All Is Bright

Composer: Estes, Jerry
Away From The Mistletoe

Composer: Beck/Fisher
Series: Choral Designs
Baby It's Cold Outside

Arranger: O'connell, Ryan
Believe

Composer: Groban, Josh
Arranger: Huff, Mac
Believe (From Polar Express)

Arranger: Hayes, Mark
Series: Holiday
Blizzard On The Way

Composer: Althouse, Jay
Series: Choral Designs
Blue Christmas

Arranger: Huff, Mac
Can You Hear The Bells

Composer: Emerson, Roger
Arranger: Emerson, Roger
Caribbean Gloria, A

Composer: Parks, Gary E
Caribe Noel

Composer: Parks, Gary E
Series: Choral Designs
Chapua Kali Desemba

Composer: Lantz/Parker
Series: Choral Designs
Christmas Bell Roundelay

Composer: Spevacek, Linda
Christmas Bells Are Ringing

Arranger: Wagner, Douglas E
Series: Sing Out
Christmas Clock, The

Composer: Miller, Cristi Cary
Christmas Is

Composer: Rouse, Jay
Christmas Is (W/The Christmas Song)

Arranger: Huff, Mac
Christmas Is For Children

Arranger: Hayes, Mark
Christmas Is Just Around The Corner

Arranger: Shaw, Kirby
Christmas Jazz Trio, A

Arranger: Weir, Michele
Series: Holiday
Christmas Memories

Composer: Powell, Rosephanye
Christmas Pops Trio

Arranger: Althouse, Jay
Series: Holiday Pop
Christmas Sock Rock, The

Composer: Jacobson/Huff
Christmas Song, The

Composer: Torme/Wells
Arranger: Lojeski, Ed
Christmas Song, The (Chestnuts Roasting)

Arranger: Rubino, Jerry
Christmas Time Is Here

Arranger: Lojeski, Ed
Christmas Wish, A

Composer: Spevacek, Linda
Classical Christmas, A

Arranger: Gilpin, Greg
Dance of The Sugar-Plum Fairy

Arranger: Funk, Jeff
December In Our Town

Composer: Emerson, Roger
Deck The Hall

Arranger: Patterson, Mark
Ding Dong Ring The Bells

Composer: Snyder, Audrey
Ding-A Ding-A Ding

Composer: Gilpin, Greg
Don't Be A Jerk (It's Christmas)

Arranger: Emerson, Roger
Everyday Christmas

Composer: Andrews, Doug
Fa La La Fantasy

Arranger: Rentz, Earlene
Festival Deck The Hall

Arranger: Althouse, Jay
Series: Choral Designs
Festive Noel, A

Composer: Perry/Perry
Frosty The Snow Man

Arranger: Shaw, Kirby
Frosty Way, The

Arranger: Brymer, Mark
Gettin' In The Mood (For Christmas)

Composer: Setzer, Brian
Arranger: Huff, Mac
Gettin' In The Mood (For Christmas)

Arranger: Shackley, Larry
Giddy-Up (A Sleigh Ride Song)

Composer: Donnelly/Strid
Gift, The

Composer: Brickman/Douglas
Arranger: Chinn, Teena
Goin' On A Sleigh Ride

Arranger: Albrecht
Good King Kong Looked Out

Composer: Bach, P D Q
Grown-Up Christmas List

Arranger: Gilpin, Greg
Series: Holiday
Happy Holidays To You

Composer: Grier, Greg
Arranger: Liebergen, Patrick M
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Composer: Martin/Blane
Arranger: Hayes, Mark
Series: Holiday
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Arranger: Hayes, Mark
Heap On More Wood

Arranger: Dixon, John
Here We Come A-Caroling

Arranger: Ijames, Molly
Here We Come A-Wassailing

Arranger: Perry/Perry
Here We Come A-Wassailing

Arranger: O'connell, Ryan
Holiday Dreamin' (Medley)

Arranger: Emerson, Roger
Holiday Jazz Trio

Arranger: Weir, Michele
Series: Pop Holiday
Holiday Shopping Spree

Composer: Jacobson/Huff
Holly Jolly Christmas, A

Composer: Marks, Johnny
Arranger: Shaw, Kirby
Holly Jolly Christmas, A

Arranger: Huff, Mac
How Many Christmases

Composer: Papoulis, Jim
I Am So Glad Each Christmas Eve

Arranger: Julseth-Heinrich, Je
I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas

Arranger: Gallina, Jill
I Wish You Christmas

Composer: Rutter, John
I'd Like To Be Santa's Reindeer

Composer: Williams/Drennan
I'll Be Home For Christmas

Composer: Gannon/Kent
Arranger: Beck, Andy
Series: Holiday
I'll Be Home For Christmas

Arranger: Hayes, Mark
Series: Holiday
I'll Be Home For Christmas

Arranger: Gilpin, Greg
In Winter So Many Stars

Composer: Purifoy, John
Series: John Purifoy Choral
It's Beginning To Look Like Christmas

Arranger: Hayes, Mark
It's Christmas And All of That Jazz

Composer: Lantz/Lantz
It's The Holiday Season

Arranger: Gallina, Jill
Jamaican Noel

Arranger: Spevacek, Linda
Jazzy Saint Nick

Arranger: Robinson, Russell
Series: Choral Designs
Jingle Bell Dash

Arranger: Bailey, Lynn Shaw
Series: Choral Designs
Jingle Bell Rock

Composer: Beal/Boothe
Arranger: Huff, Mac
Jingle Bell Rock

Arranger: Billingsley, Alan
Jingle Bells

Arranger: Shaw, Kirby
Jingle Bells

Arranger: Fiftal, Lois
Jingle Bells

Arranger: Weber, Michael
Jingle Bells

Arranger: Hayes, Mark
Series: Hioliday
Jingle Bells

Arranger: Huff, Mac
Jingle Bells Rock

Arranger: Albrecht, Sally K
Series: Holiday
Jingle Jingle Swing

Arranger: Gray, Ruth Morris
Jolly Jingle Christmas Medley

Arranger: Billingsley, Alan
Series: Choral Designs
Jumble Bells

Arranger: Barnes, Eric Lane
Kling Glockchen (Ring Little Bells)

Arranger: Courtney, Vicki Tuck
Series: Choral Designs
Last Christmas

Arranger: Gilpin, Greg
Series: Holiday
Let It Snow Let It Snow Let It Snow

Arranger: Billingsley, Alan
Series: Holiday
Let It Snow Let It Snow Let It Snow

Arranger: Beck, Andy
Let It Snow Let It Snow Let It Snow

Arranger: Emerson, Roger
Let It Snow Let It Snow Let It Snow

Arranger: Hayes, Mark
Let It Snow/Winter Wonderland

Arranger: Billingsey, Alan
Let's Take A Sleigh Ride

Composer: Weston, Mark
Series: Sing Out
Light The Lights

Composer: Beck, Andy
Series: Choral Designs
Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth, The

Arranger: Althouse, Jay
Series: Holiday
Little Tommy's Choir (Tooma Laulukoor)

Arranger: Berg, Ken
Man With The Bag, The/Santa Baby

Arranger: Langford, Paul
Mele Kalikimaka

Arranger: Althouse, Jay
Series: Holiday
Merry Are The Bells

Composer: Spevacek, Linda
Merry Christmas Darling

Composer: Carpenter/Pooler
Arranger: Shaw, Kirby
Merry Christmas Merry Christmas

Arranger: Fettke, Tom
Series: Holiday
Merry Merry Christmas To You

Composer: Wagner, Douglas E
Series: Sing Out
Mistletoe And Holly

Arranger: Purifoy, John
Most Wonderful Time of The Year, The

Arranger: Snyder, Audrey
Most Wonderful Time of The Year, The

Arranger: Huff, Mac
Mozart's Fa-La-La

Arranger: Kern, Philip
My True Love Gave To Me

Composer: Beck/Fisher
Series: Choral Designs
Night Before Christmas, The

Composer: Weston, Mark
Series: Sing Out
Nutcracker Jingles

Arranger: Bridwell, Chuck
Series: Choarla Designs
Nutcracker March

Arranger: Funk, Jeff
Series: Choral Designs
O Christmas Tree

Composer: Gray, Ruth Morris
O Tannenbaum

Arranger: Hall, William D
Parade of The Wooden Soldiers

Arranger: Leavitt, John
Parade of The Wooden Soldiers

Arranger: Funk, Jeff
Pat-A-Pan

Arranger: Beck, Andy
Series: Choral Designs
Pat-A-Pan Salsa

Arranger: Fettke/Grassi
Perfect Christmas Night

Arranger: Gilpin, Greg
Please Come Home For Christmas

Arranger: Brymer, Mark
Polar Express (Choral Highlights)

Arranger: Billingsley, Alan
Ready Set Snow

Composer: Althouse, Jay
Series: Choral Designs
Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree

Composer: Marks, Johnny
Arranger: Huff, Mac
Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree

Arranger: Gallina, Jill
Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree

Arranger: Beck, Andy
Series: Holiday
Rockin' Rudy

Composer: Gallina, Jill
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer

Composer: Marks, Johnny
Arranger: Tatgenhorst, John
Russian Dance (From The Nutcracker)

Arranger: Funk, Jeff
Series: Choral Designs
Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town

Arranger: Langford, Paul
Silver Bells

Arranger: Snyder, Audrey
Silver Bells

Arranger: Robison, Kevin
Series: Voices Rising
Skatin' With My Baby

Arranger: Shaw, Kirby
Sleigh Bells

Arranger: Rentz, Earlene
Sleigh Ride

Arranger: Shaw, Kirby
Sleigh Ride

Composer: Anderson, Leroy
Arranger: Beck, Andy
Series: Holiday
Snow

Composer: Riggs, Kenneth
Some Folks Love The Holidays

Arranger: Ginsberg, Neil
Somewhere In My Memory

Arranger: Snyder, Audrey
Stomp The Hall

Arranger: Barnes, Eric Lane
Super Santa

Composer: Beck, Andy
Series: Choral Designs
Swingle Bells

Arranger: Emerson, Roger
Twelve Days After Christmas, The

Composer: Silver, Frederick
Twelve Days of Christmas, The

Arranger: Beigel, Jeffrey
Up Up Up In The Sleigh

Composer: Beck, Andy
Variations On Deck The Hall

Arranger: O'connell, Ryan
Variations On Jingle Bells

Composer: Pierpont, James
Arranger: Hayes, Mark
Various Themes On Fa-La-La

Arranger: Bridwell, Chuck
Series: Choral Designs
Various Themes On Fa-La-La

Arranger: Bridwell, Chuck
Series: Choral Designs
Very Merry Madrigal, A

Composer: Wagner, Douglas E
Series: Choral Designs
Wassail

Composer: Aranowski, Peggy Pro
Arranger: Delanoy, Catherine
Wassail Song

Composer: Rentz, Earlene
We Need A Little Christmas

Arranger: Hayes, Mark
We Need A Little Christmas (From Mame)

Arranger: Emerson, Roger
We Wish You A Happy Holiday

Composer: Donnelly/Strid
We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Arranger: Lantz, David
We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Arranger: Willcocks, Jonathan
We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Arranger: Emerson, Roger
Series: Discovery
Welcome Christmas

Arranger: Beck, Andy
Series: Holiday
What Christmas Means To Me

Arranger: Huff, Mac
Where Are You Christmas

Arranger: Huff, Mac
White Christmas

Arranger: Snyder, Audrey
Winter Wonderland

Composer: Smith/Bernard
Arranger: Beck, Andy

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Parents in Kings Park fur...