secular songs of praise

[billkilpatrick]

Its an offhanded way of publicly proclaiming a distaste for religion. The same people if god is mentioned will start yelling about thier rights being violated. Seems like a thread with high potential for being locked.

gee - i hope not - i'm genuinely interested to find songs which reflect wonder and spirituality and talk about life in general, our relation to the natural world, etc. without any religious association.

i didn't post this in the "gospel" section of the forum for the very reason you mention.

[tree]

Technically a tune (not a song), but . . . Europa (Earth's Cry Heaven's Smile), by Santana.

[Dave Gumbart]

Rare Earth, I Just Want to Celebrate, perhaps?

[Tavy]

This is such a matter of interpretation... personally I like the Wailing Jenny's One Voice:



I also like Glory Bound, which they describe as a "non denominational Gospel song", but I guess that doesn't count ?

[Jack Roberts]

Who are we praising, then?

There is a good secularized version of "How Can I Keep From Singing" that Pete Seeger used to do. Not quite as moving as the original Baptist version.

Enya does the secularized version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdRSRTqOyi4

BTW:

Whaddya get when you cross a Unitarian with a Jehovah's Witness?




Somebody who knocks on your door for no reason.


(I hope I'm not pushing the thread shutdown button, Scott!)

[Marty Henrickson]

Maybe the title should be "Secular Songs of Joy", 'cause I don't really see what most of these songs are "praising". "Here Comes The Sun"? - great song, but simply talking about a new day, or the change of seasons....

Okay, I'm getting off this thread, before I precipitate a lockdown. 'Bye.

[multidon]

How about "You've Got a Friend" (Carole King/James Taylor), "Wind Beneath My Wings" (Bette Midler), "The Greatest Love" (Whitney Houston). These songs praise, respectively, friendship, a hero/role model, and inner strength. While I am a big fan of "praise music" praising God, and am a member of a praise band and play a lot of that, there are things about human beings that deserve praise too. After all, we are created in His image! Given enough time I'm sure i can think of many more, but these are the three that popped into my head right away.

[mugbucket]

With tongue planted firmly in cheek...



Cheers,

Ski

[Andrew Roberts]

Great call on The Wailin' Jennys, Tavy. I had briefly forgotten about them, but I think "Heaven When We're Home" is another good one from them that might fit the bill as far as the type of music Bill was refering to.

And Ski, you win for giving me my loudest chuckle of the day.

[mandocrucian]

how about songs written about the majesty, wonder, etc., etc. of nature?

Maybe the title should be "Secular Songs of Joy", 'cause I don't really see what most of these songs are "praising".

For those unfamiliar with my 1st place selection...........



Do you like boobs a lot?
(Yes, I like boobs a lot.)
Boobs a lot, boobs a lot.
(You gotta like boobs a lot.)
Really like boobs a lot.
(You gotta like boobs a lot.)
Boobs a lot, boobs a lot.
(You gotta like boobs a lot.)

Down in the locker room,
Just we boys,
Beatin' down the locker room
With all that noise,

Singin' do you like boobs a lot?
(You gotta like boobs a lot.)
Boobs a lot, boobs a lot.
(You gotta like boobs a lot.)

Do you wear your jock a lot?
(Yes, I wear my jock a lot.)
Got to wear your jock a lot.
(Got to wear your jock a lot.)
Jock a lot, jock a lot.
(You gotta wear your jock a lot.)
Got to wear your jock a lot.
(You gotta wear your jock a lot.)

'Cause, down on the football,
Football field,
You never can tell
What a heel can wield,

So you gotta wear your jock a lot.
(You gotta wear your jock a lot.)
Jock a lot, jock a lot.
(You gotta wear your jock a lot.)

If I had a flag-a-long,
(If I had a flag-a-long.)
If I had a long flag-a-long,
If I had a long flag-a-long,
If you like boobs a lot, tag along

Bee beep, bop, de boob a lot.
(You gotta like boobs a lot.)
Boobs a lot, boobs a lot.
(You gotta like boobs a lot.)

They're big and round,
They're all around.
They're big and round,
They're all around.

(MUSICAL BREAK)

Do you like boobs a lot?
(Yes, I like boobs a lot.)
Boobs a lot, boobs a lot.
(You gotta like boobs a lot.)
Do you like boobs a lot.
(You gotta like boobs a lot.)
Boobs a lot, boobs a lot.
(You gotta like boobs a lot.)

Down in the locker room,
Just we boys,
Beatin' down the locker room
With all that noise,

Singin' do you like boobs a lot?
(Yes I like boobs a lot.)
Boobs a lot, boobs a lot.
(You gotta like boobs a lot.)

Do you wear your jock a lot?
(Yes, I wear my jock a lot.)
Got to wear your jock a lot.
(You gotta wear your jock a lot.)
Got to wear your jock a lot
(You gotta wear your jock a lot.)
Got to wear your jock a lot.
(You gotta wear your jock a lot.)

'Cause, down on the football,
Football field,
You never can tell
What a heel can wield,

So you gotta wear your jock a lot.
(You gotta wear your jock a lot.)
Jock a lot, jock a lot.
(You gotta wear your jock a lot.)

If I had a flag-a-long,
(If I had a flag-a-long.)
If I had a long flag-a-long,
If I had a long flag-a-long,
If you like boobs a lot, tag along

Bee beep, bop, de boob a lot.
(You gotta like boobs a lot.)
Boobs a lot, boobs a lot.
(You gotta like boobs a lot.)

They're big and round,
They're all around.
They're big and round,
They're all around.

[Astro]

oops

[Astro]

Great thread. I don't see how it could possibly be offensive to anyone.

Great songs. Keep them coming.

And don't forget, likely some "religious" songs were secular tunes first and probably some visa versa.

My favorite religious song ?

Jeremiah Was a Bull Frog by Three Dog Night, of course.

I am quite sure it was originally a sacred gregorian chant from the middle ages adopted to modern spiritual sensitivities.

[KEB]

It's probably technically a bit agnostic, but the Dead's Box of Rain has always been a bit of an ode to wonder in the world for me.

[mrmando]

I think we've left out the most obvious one of all:

[Astro]

OOPs again. I see Joy To The World by 3 dog night was already given. Sorry.

[TEE]

One of my favorite videos of all time. He had a lot of friends all the way to the end.

[Bill Stokes]

Great thread. Here's one from 1966. I love this song.

Stevie Wonder was a voice of the civil rights movement. Not a strident voice; more melodic.

And this song also qualifies I think. Praise of life and love.

I just found this thread.
Those are off the top of my head.
Beg pardon in advance
If I keep 'em coming 'til it's dead.

Bill

[brunello97]

When we were little kids in Texas we heard Jim Pepper's "Witchi Tai To" and just flipped. Time hasn't diminished that feeling at all.



Oregon's many versions have the same power of praise for me.



Thanks, Bill K, this is yet another one of your more inspired moments.

Mick

[Bill Stokes]

Check this out. Vive la praise. Tres secular. Subtitles if you don't speak French. Je veux means "I want:" love, joy, good humor, etc.

[billkilpatrick]

great choice - i remember the brewer and shipley version but hadn't heard it in years ... until about 30 seconds ago - fabulous!

[billkilpatrick]

bil - oui-oui! - great song - fabulous voice

[billhay4]

Almost anything Kate Wolf did.
This is a great thread. Let it be.
Bill

[Laird]

It's probably technically a bit agnostic, but the Dead's Box of Rain has always been a bit of an ode to wonder in the world for me.

Might as well add "Ripple" to the list.

[Astro]

And Don't forget the great epic spiritual, Moma's Got A Squeeze Box, by The Who

[Astro]

Morning Has Broken-- Cat Stevens (Well its generic enough to be close)