Songs of Praise

[freddiemangle]

Last Christmas, I watched Songs of Praise, and one of the songs performed was "Mary's Boy Child" a hit for Harry Belafonte. The last line of the chorus is
and man will live for evermore because of Christmas Day
so why did they sing
and man will live for evermore because of this special day

Can anybody tell me why?
Is the BBC frightened to say the words "Christmas Day."

I'll bet if it was Ramadan or Diwali, the singers would have sung it out with gusto, and with the BBC's blessing.

Disgusted,
East Sussex

[Teddy Bear]

Welcome Freddie, I felt your post was more pertinent in this category.

In searching for some background for your comment I see this is not the first time the BBC has done exactly this.

It appears that back in December 2004 they featured the same song with the same change on Songs of Praise. They even had a 'Points of View' webpage where some people commented on it.

It's impossible to know how many people might have written in to complain, as the BBC will only post the ones they want. Clearly by the fact that they repeated the same lyrics this year they weren't concerned about any offence they might cause Christians.

I watched Songs of Praise with my mother yesterday and I must say it was brilliant. It showed a primary school rehearsing for their Christmas Nativity Play. It was perfect viewing and left us feeling very warm and glowing inside.

This would be a perfect programme to repeat on Christmas morning, as it showed us quite clearly the true meaning of Christmas.

Having just lost my father, it helped me to focus on what Christmas really means, and I must admit I am looking forward to it more now.

Thank you BBC - it was wonderful!
Message 2. Posted by Marcus on Monday, 6th December 2004 permalink

Hello Jannieb,

Welcome to the board and thank you for your lovely comments. It may be a bit early for Xmas wishes, but I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas.

All the best.

Marcus
Message 3. Posted by coolslickrick on Monday, 6th December 2004 permalink

I am glad you enjoyed songs of praise, I wish I could say the same. Were you not offended by the changed lyrics of the song 'Mary's Boy Child'. The words ' born on Christmas Day ' being replaced with something like ' born on that special day '.
I would say I was utterly disgusted that somebody had the wish to change them, and even more so that Songs of Praise no longer had the courage to stand up for its Religious content which has always been CHRISTIAN worship.
Message 4. Posted by jannieb on Tuesday, 7th December 2004 permalink

I did not feel offended by the change of words in the songs, so much of our English culture i.e. songs, nursery rhymes etc have been changed. I just enjoyed the innocence of the children and the enthusiam they had to perform the Nativity play so well.

It certainly made me feel good, that's all I know.
Message 5. Posted by jannieb on Tuesday, 7th December 2004 permalink

Hi Marcus

Thank you for your warm wishes, and a very merry Christmas to you and yours.



JannieB
Message 6. Posted by jimandclaire on Tuesday, 7th December 2004 permalink

I am glad you enjoyed songs of praise, I wish I could say the same. Were you not offended by the changed lyrics of the song 'Mary's Boy Child'. The words ' born on Christmas Day ' being replaced with something like ' born on that special day '.
I would say I was utterly disgusted that somebody had the wish to change them, and even more so that Songs of Praise no longer had the courage to stand up for its Religious content which has always been CHRISTIAN worship.



Eh?! Songs of Praise is all about the religious content. How much difference could such a minor change to the words of one song make? After all, it's wasn't Christmas Day back then, was it? I'm amazed that something so minor could possibly affect your overall enjoyment of a delightful programme.

Message 7. Posted by minimetto on Tuesday, 7th December 2004 permalink

Hi jannieb

I felt that I had to respond to your message re Songs of Praise - I am so glad that you found this to be comforting. I have lost my father recently and I cannot bear the thought of Christmas this year. Obviously there is a message there somewhere but I am unable to see or feel it at the moment.
My thoughts are with you and your family.

I watched Songs of Praise with my mother yesterday and I must say it was brilliant. It showed a primary school rehearsing for their Christmas Nativity Play. It was perfect viewing and left us feeling very warm and glowing inside.

This would be a perfect programme to repeat on Christmas morning, as it showed us quite clearly the true meaning of Christmas.

Having just lost my father, it helped me to focus on what Christmas really means, and I must admit I am looking forward to it more now.

Thank you BBC - it was wonderful!

Message 8. Posted by Mike Spidola on Wednesday, 8th December 2004 permalink

You're quite right that it wouldn't have been called Xmas Day on the original Xmas Day, but it was when the song was written

I personally have no objection to the altering of song lyrics (assuming any necessary permissions have been gained from the appropriate copyright/performing rights sources!!)

But I am concerned that this may be yet another attempt at heavy-handed and misguided PC'ness. i.e. "we mustn't mention Christmas in case it offends someone!" In the organisation where I work - for example - a directive has gone out that references to Xmas are replaced by "Religious Festival" - mad. or what???
Message 9. Posted by Elwood Herring on Wednesday, 8th December 2004 permalink

Actually there is mounting evidence that Jesus was born in the spring, not in December at all. December 25th was chosen in the 4th century so as to obscure the ancient religion of Mithraism which was held on that day. A clue is in the words "While shepherds watched their flocks by night". Shepherds only watch their flocks by night in the lambing season i.e. the spring. As for bringing trees into the house, that stems from an old druid tradition. When you examine closely the trappings of Christmas, you start to find that the whole thing has very little to do with Jesus Christ at all! Not that I am knocking the religion itself, but when I hear people saying "Christmas should be about Christ" I have an overwhelming urge to say "Actually it isn't - check the facts!"
Message 10. Posted by U6525123 on Tuesday, 7th November 2006 permalink

there was a spin off i think it was praise be
Message 11. Posted by Panðora on Tuesday, 7th November 2006 permalink

I am glad you enjoyed songs of praise, I wish I could say the same. Were you not offended by the changed lyrics of the song 'Mary's Boy Child'. The words ' born on Christmas Day ' being replaced with something like ' born on that special day '.

But that would actually make it correct though, wouldn't it? The day that Christ was born (which, as the previous poster said, was probably sometime in Spring, somewhere between 6-4BC)- would not have been called 'Christmas Day' at that time, would it? It's obviously only been called that in retrospect, so to say that Christ was “born on Christmas Day” is really a nonsense.

Message 12. Posted by babs47 on Tuesday, 7th November 2006 permalink

I know we're only just into November, but that would be the type of SOP we'd enjoy, with real people doing their community thing. Professional choirs certainly have their place, but sometimes, its good to see what real people do.

As to why, I offer my estimation in the title of this thread: The Holey (or Wholly) Beeble replacing the Holy Bible.
Consider that the BBC is more interested in brainwashing the public to fit its own agenda than anything else. Any other mindset they see as competitors, and must be eliminated as much as they can. The only reason they show 'the respect' for Islam that they do, and as you noted, is because they're terrified to do anything else.

[charmbrights]

I, too, extend a warm welcome to Freddie.

Dec 21, 2013 19:23:49 GMT Teddy Bear said:

... I see this is not the first time the BBC has done exactly this. ... Clearly by the fact that they repeated the same lyrics this year they weren't concerned about any offence they might cause Christians.

I am, for one, amazed by your naïveté, Edward. Surely you, of all people, have realised that the decision makers at the BEEB are utterly uninterested in the opinion of their audience? Listen to any edition of Feedback on Radio 4 and you will hear criticism of some policy decision or other, and the response from the producer or equivalent boils down to "Many people liked it and we think it was a great success".

[thehighlandrebel]

Here's a clip about that sanctuary for Christians, a Church of England church, holding a rally for...well...erm...butchers and murderers and crucifiers of Christians.
Ironically it had to take an Arab to speak out against it.

[Teddy Bear]

Great clip THR - Thanks