Platzer,+Quinn

How important is music to religion?

Most religions rely on music for many teaching and ritualistic purposes; Christian hymns sung at Church, Ma'oz Tzur which is sung by the Jewish on Hanukkah, and a variety of prayers praising the Gods and Goddesses in Paganism and other polytheistic religions. There are a variety of types that religious music falls into. Sung prayers called Hymns, White and Black Gospel, and Mass. Each category is different, Black Gospel is 'jazzy', with a beat that makes you want to move while White Gospel is simply praise. The word Carol means 'Beautiful song', and isn't limited to Christmas carols. Gospel and Spirituals tend to be about personal experiences.

In Judaism, there are many songs written in Yiddish and Hebrew. They are sung on holidays like Hanukkah. One song specifically, Ma'oz Tzur, or Rock of Ages, holds strong in my memory. The non-literal translations suggest that the song thanks God for aiding them in a war when they could no longer fight. Ma'oz Tzur is a hymn. A Litergy is a song directly from religious scriptures. One Jewish Litergy is called Kol Nidrei. Another is called Eili, Eili. Ma'oz Tzur media type="file" key="maoz_tzur.mp3" width="240" height="20"

In Christianity, gospel and spiritual are very common. There is a song book, which everyone sings from. In fact, the term 'Spiritual Music' tends to refer to the Christian religion. If you search 'Religious Music' on the internet, most everything you find will be Christian. The song "Down to the River to Pray" by Alison Krauss was from the Baptizing scene in the movie "O Brother, Where Art Thou?". It's an example of White Gospel. An example of Black Gospel would be "This Train (Bound for Glory)". Down to the River to Pray - Alison Krauss media type="file" key="04 Down To The River To Pray.m4a" width="300" height="50"

In Paganism and Polytheistic religions, music is very important. Much of the prayers are in song, depending on which branch you look at. In one branch, probably Nordic, the Goddess of Spring is known as Suvetar. A sung prayer by Finnish band Gjallarhorn refers to her with many names, "Suvetar, fine matron" and "Manutar, Earth matron". They sing praise, and pray for her to make the plants grow. They ask her to "Lift up a thousand seedlings, and reward my efforts". The song is beautiful, and sung in Finnish. media type="file" key="01 Suvetar (Goddess of Spring).mp3" width="240" height="20" Lyrics in both Finnish and English can be found here: http://lyrics.wikia.com/Gjallarhorn:Suvetar

Music and Religion go hand in hand. For thousands of years, music has played a vital role in the development of religion and of people. Oratorios made way for early opera, choruses today still sing Cantatas, and everyone's heard of Gospel. Religion itself has also played a role in music, influencing the works of many modern artists. Rap, metal, rock, even pop will incorporate religion into its lyrics, even if we don't hear it.

"Music and Religion." //Oman Centre for Traditional Music//. Oman Electric Network, 2002. Web. 2 Dec 2010. .

Gjallarhorn. “Suvetar” Sjofn, 2000

Mordechai “Ma’oz Tzur”

The Torah

With special thanks to my Grandfather, who gave me a lot of help. Plus, he counts as a source, since he's a college professor (he teaches Folk Music).