I remember that when I was growing up, my dad would critique every song that came on the radio. Part of this, I am certain, was due to the fact the he was a therapist, and he was also very cautious about everything that we listened to, watched or read. I’ve always had a penchant for romantic stories, movies and songs, so I would get so irritated when a song would come on that I thought was so pretty, with lyrics along the lines of “I just can’t live without you”, or “I don’t know who I am without you”, etc, and dad would say, “That’s ridiculous! And it’s not healthy! Of course you can live without them! You need your own identity”, etc.
Well, things have, naturally, come full circle. We bought Callie Grace a video of Sunday School bible songs, and she loves it (even though Philip and I both find the Sunday school teacher a little creepy). As I’m listening to the video, and listening to her sing a long, I was struck by one of the songs I heard. I’ll post the lyrics:
OPEN UP YOUR HEART (AND LET THE SUNSHINE IN)
(Stuart Hamblen)
Mommy told me something a little girl should know
It’s all about the Devil and I’ve learned to hate him so
She says he causes trouble when you let him in the room
He will never ever leave you if your heart is filled with gloom
So, let the sun shine in, face it with a grin
Smilers never lose and frowners never win
So, let the sun shine in, face it with a grin
Open up your heart and let the sun shine in
When you are unhappy, the Devil wears a grin
But oh, he starts a-running when the light comes pouring in
I know he’ll be unhappy ’cause I’ll never wear a frown
Maybe if we keep on smiling he’ll get tired of hangin’ around
So, let the sun shine in, face it with a grin
Smilers never lose and frowners never win
So, let the sun shine in, face it with a grin
Open up your heart and let the sun shine in
If I forget to say my prayers the Devil jumps with glee
But he feels so awful, awful, when he sees me on my knees
So if you’re full of trouble and you never seem to win
Just open up your heart and let the sun shine in
So, let the sun shine in, face it with a grin
Smilers never lose and frowners never win
So, let the sun shine in, face it with a grin
Open up your heart and let the sun shine in
“What?!” I shrieked, scaring Callie right out of her chair. Realizing this wasn’t the best way to handle this, I’ve been trying decide what to do. I mean seriously, “Smilers never lose, and frowners never win”? “I’ll never wear a frown”? Okay, I get the sentiment of the song, truly I do, and I want my children to be happy, but I don’t want them to hide their emotions, and I certainly don’t want them to have some kind of wacked-out view of the gospel and the Christian life. It’s exactly this kind of sentiment that leads people to think the church is full of hypocrites, people who are never honest with what’s really going on in their lives. And I really, deeply believe that the things we hear and see as children form us and mold us, to an extent that we aren’t even aware of.
I’m sure I’m taking this to the extreme, I know, but where do I draw the line?
EEEWWW. Sorry, I know that is not very articulate, but that is a creepy song. Especially, “He will never ever leave you if your heart is filled with gloom”. Interesting take on the Devil. I haven’t heard this song before — which is probably a good thing — maybe it was never very popular? So much of what we hear as children “sticks”, the good and the bad — actually I am really hoping I don’t sing that in my head for the next few days!
I know! It has such a happy little tune that goes with it, too! I’m glad I’m not the only one who found it creepy and, well, just wrong!
Did you not sing this one when you were little? It’s been around forever! I admit, I sometimes wondered about it….. but seriously? You’ve never heard this song before?
No —
Me neither, Jen, I don’t remember it. Or maybe I blocked it from my memory because it talks about the Devil too much. Also, the more I think about it, the more appalled I am! So if I’m not winning, then it’s because the Devil has come into my room? And Jesus is called the Man of all sorrows, so how is that explained? So many issues with this song!
You block this song from your memory but not the Muffin Man song? hrmmm….. and I had never thought about it much before until now…. but yes. Creepy.
Okay, maybe this explains a little too much about me and my childhood, but I really remember this song – especially the chorus. I can even sing you the melody, which is probably why I am in therapy 🙂 You may think you are being over-protective about this because it is one song, but it isn’t just one song, it’s actually a lot of little songs and messages that start REALLY early on in life. My nephew has a song they sing in cradle roll where they go around throwing leaves on the ground, and then two songs later they have to get out brooms and sweep up to be “good little helpers” for Mommy and make “Jesus happy”. When he didn’t make the mess in the first song, he didn’t want to participate in the later song either (he’s a quick one, my nephew – he didn’t make the mess – why should he have to clean it up :), and his teacher actually told him that he was making his Mommy and Jesus sad because he wasn’t cleaning up the mess. My sister quickly corrected the well-meaning lady – “please don’t ever tell my son that he is making me or Jesus sad – thank you very much!” How do you teach children from a young age basic lessons of being helpful and cheerfulness without scaring them?
Exactly, Brandi! I mean, no wonder we’re losing youth in droves, because from a very early age, we are totally screwing up their image of God. It’s quite terrifying, really. I’m glad your sister stood up to the teacher!
I could not agree more with you Andi. What about the prayer:
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep,
If I should DIE before I wake,
I pray the Lord my soul to take.
Who made that into a kid’s prayer???? Makes me not even want to go to sleep. LOL