I've Been Working on the Railroad!
I wasn't actually working on the railroad, but I was out in the garden at the rectory trimming and pulling up plants. I'm getting ready to plant some bulbs and to change the mix of perennials and annuals in the garden. To make the work go smoothly I brought out a player for my IPod and put one of my playlists on "shuffle".
This got me thinking about the connection between music and work, especially physical work. Work songs have always been important. It is not just the rhythm either though this can help you to pace your effort. Those with workout mixes no what that is about. Words also are important. Often they tell a story: "I've been working on the railroad all the live long day!" Granted it is a simple story quite often, but it is real and direct. The writing of Ernest Hemingway could be thought of as an exemplary expression of this quality.
For many farmers of former generations from Europe and for monks for centuries an important musical element was the ringing of the bells that marked the beginning, middle and end of the work day. In Catholic countries the Angelus bell called people to prayer and also respite from their work. Although we don't ring it at 6am, we do ring the Angelus at the parish at Noon and at 6pm. It is a prayerful thing to do and it is also a reminder of the different way our ancestors conceived of time and work.
Years ago the eclectic Coen brothers came out with a film portraying Homer's Odyssey but set in Depression era Mississippi. The film starts with a chain gang work song and brings with its narrative an homage to "Old Timey" music. The film was a boon to many bluegrass musicians. The hit single that came out of it was a jazzed up version of a very traditional religious song: "I am a Man of Constant Sorrow." I have a version sung in the original style -- almost chant like.
The music we listen to now tends to have much faster rhythms. One might even call them frenetic. My guess is that we would live life better at a slower pace, especially if we sang about our stories and with some melody to carry us forward.
This got me thinking about the connection between music and work, especially physical work. Work songs have always been important. It is not just the rhythm either though this can help you to pace your effort. Those with workout mixes no what that is about. Words also are important. Often they tell a story: "I've been working on the railroad all the live long day!" Granted it is a simple story quite often, but it is real and direct. The writing of Ernest Hemingway could be thought of as an exemplary expression of this quality.
For many farmers of former generations from Europe and for monks for centuries an important musical element was the ringing of the bells that marked the beginning, middle and end of the work day. In Catholic countries the Angelus bell called people to prayer and also respite from their work. Although we don't ring it at 6am, we do ring the Angelus at the parish at Noon and at 6pm. It is a prayerful thing to do and it is also a reminder of the different way our ancestors conceived of time and work.
Years ago the eclectic Coen brothers came out with a film portraying Homer's Odyssey but set in Depression era Mississippi. The film starts with a chain gang work song and brings with its narrative an homage to "Old Timey" music. The film was a boon to many bluegrass musicians. The hit single that came out of it was a jazzed up version of a very traditional religious song: "I am a Man of Constant Sorrow." I have a version sung in the original style -- almost chant like.
The music we listen to now tends to have much faster rhythms. One might even call them frenetic. My guess is that we would live life better at a slower pace, especially if we sang about our stories and with some melody to carry us forward.
