MovieChat Forums > The Singles Ward (2002) Discussion > Irreverent versions of sacred songs

Irreverent versions of sacred songs

posted 16 years ago by will7370
18 replies | jump to latest

Does anyone else find it troublesome to hear irreverent versions of sacred songs in this film? Particularly the hymns of the Restoration. There are some things that you just don't do, and one of these is taking the sacred and bringing it down to the level of the world. How would people like it if we built a likeness of one of our sacred temples, and turned it into a comedy club, or perhaps into a rap studio? Or what if someone showed up at a costume party with a President Hinckley mask dressed in just a Speedo? Some things are just down right offensive to the Spirit, and I think those who make a mock of the sacred will one day have to answer to our Heavenly Father. Instead of bringing the sacred down to the level of Babylon, why not try to elevate the world up to the level of the sacred? Why do we need to stoop to the level of the world to be entertained? I did not find it very funny to see two fellows in this movie inhaling helium at wild swinging camera angles while a distorted version of one of our dear Primary songs was being played in the background. The drug use imagery was only too apparent. Do we find this uplifting? Does anyone really think we will be spiritually prepared for the return of the Savior, and the descent of Enoch's Zion when we have been so irreverent in mocking sacred things? If this stuff is so okay, then why don't they play this stuff in our temples? If you only knew the depth to which a person can be in tune with the Spirit, you would lay these things aside forevermore. Call me a prude if you want to. I'm speaking the truth and you know it deep down inside.

[–] allthingsrock311 16 years ago

No, I don't think the rock and pop versions of the hymns are inappropriate. Nobody's "mocking" the hymns and their meaning, they're simply being reworked to fit a different mood. They're fun and upbeat, and many members, including myself, enjoy them!

[–] jalapenoman 16 years ago

Yes, I find it incredibly blasphemous that a great Primary classic like Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree was sung with guys taking hits off of helium filled balloons. This drug reference was quite offensive and shows the moral bankruptcy of the film makers. NOT!

Come on, get a life.

I thought that using standard LDS hymns played at different speeds or with different instruments was one of the things that gave this movie its charm.

[–] wrightx6 15 years ago

"Come, Come, Ye Saints" is the only song the jury is still out on but....the rest of them...love'em. Especially, Let Us All Press On...not sung enough in church for me.

[–] vadnj0 15 years ago

Lighten up, man! The movie was hilarious! The movie brought the church into the 21st century with a lot of class. All the acting was superb and I thought that all the references to the faith (the 3 nephites)was especially funny! All the songs redone probably made people want to listen to them more. The youth of our church found the new versions actually cool. I think that this movie is probably my all time favourite of the "new look" movies. All the other old ones (Saturday's warrior, and etc.) are going to become extinct after these new films take a hold of us.

[–] hedges-webb 12 years ago

I recently let one of the youth run riot through my iTunes to create a playlist for a party and yes - several songs from this soundtrack made it on there. I'm guessing the originals probably wouldn't have! I think it's a great idea. I recommend the Home Teachers soundtrack - some songs on there are just plain beautiful...

[–] k_atiebug 15 years ago

There are a lot of things we all do, even you, OP, that we would not do in the temple. That doesn't mean that it's necessarily an inappropriate thing to do, or an inappropriate way to look at things, it's just inappropriate for the situation.

I definitely see what you're saying, but I respectfully disagree.

[–] will7370 15 years ago

We need to remember what the brethren have said about having a home in Zion, but still trying to keep one foot in the world by figuratively keeping a summer cottage in Babylon. Yeah, I suppose we can lightly indulge in the things of the world for a time, but the day will eventually come when we will all have to make one last, final definitive decision, one way or the other, and leave the world behind for good. After all, in the next life will we not all be required to live a Celestial law full time in a temple-like atmosphere and society? Is that not what the Celestial kingdom is? Is that not what the temple is preparing us for now? If irreverent versions of sacred songs will not be okay then and there, why are they alright now??? Why not live what we know now?

[–] hellotrouble 15 years ago

Popcorn popping on the apricot tree? Hmmmm that doesn't bother me at all. I don't see how what they're doing in the movie is all that different from a bunch of kids in primary belting out the song and doing the actions. It's not meant to be a song that you have a great spiritual experience when you sing. I mean, it's about popcorn on an apricot tree! I think it's just a song that you're meant to have fun when you sing and those guys were having fun. And drug imagery? I really don't think sucking helium out of balloons really is at that level.
Most of the other songs don't really bother me much either. But I can see your point in some ways. If it was a song they only sing when they pass the sacrament I might be bothered by that. But otherwise I wasn't too bothered.

[–] pacoreguenga 15 years ago

I'm sorry brother but I disagree with you about the songs being irreverent for a very simple reason:
It is true this songs were written to help us to be in tune with the Spirit, but we all know they were written in past times, when music was very different from today. And if you research carefully about it, you will find many Hymns sung in America during that time (including the American Anthem, and please don't you feel insulted about it) based their tunes not only on cult music, but on popular songs, mainly tavern songs borrowed from Europe which were brought to America during its colonization. People recognized the tunes easily, so the Hymns were easier to remember.
Now these are different times. Unfortunately music styles change. Maybe not for good, aparently, but President Hinckley taught us to take advantage of modern tools and media to help propagate our Saviour's Gospel. What if we take today's music and elevate it with these Sacred Words we're talking about so our youth can be in tune with the spirit? Ask any elder what sort of music or movies he's got on his iPod. I know because they ask me to load them! They are even giving away modern mormon films to investigators and believe me it's working!

I'm a proud member of The Church and father of 4.

[–] will7370 15 years ago

Okay. So let's just play these in the temple then. And maybe take a snort from a helium baloon like they did in the movie before we begin our washings and annointings in the temple. Sounds good to me.

[–] hellotrouble 15 years ago

"Okay. So let's just play these in the temple then. And maybe take a snort from a helium baloon like they did in the movie before we begin our washings and annointings in the temple. Sounds good to me."

Yeah, but the point is, they're NOT doing that in the temple. Just because some things would be inappropriate in the temple doesn't mean they would be inappropriate elsewhere. Like when filming a movie, for instance. A very different situation than the temple. If you take this viewpoint, you could be saying "It's never appropriate to dance or to wear casual clothes or to watch a movie that isn't made by the church because those things aren't appropriate in the temple." And vice versa. Some things you do in the temple would be inappropriate to do outside the temple. As for the helium balloons, are you saying mormons can never joke around or have fun because it might not be appropriate to joke around in the temple? I say just remember that there's a time and a place for being serious and a time and a place for jokes and you'll be fine. I think I would go crazy if I had to behave like I was in the temple all the time, and that doesn't make me some big sinner.

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] ja227 15 years ago

I kind of agree with the original post, but then I hate it when old commercial songs are updated for a "newer, hipper sound". Ugh. Some of the songs in this movie were bearable, but others didn't fit the style of music whatsoever.

BTW, many of the church hymns have changed their musical notes from time to time. "If You Could Hie to Kolob" is a notable one. Alot of the American church songs are set to the same tune of traditional English folk songs and anthems.

[–] Filky 15 years ago

will7370 -

You are a little too Peter-Priesthood-y. From what I gather, a person of your character shouldn't even be on the internet, since the possibility of accidentally stumbling onto a porn-site is too great. And I suppose that you think that a newly married couple shouldn't hold hands one week into their marriage because it's "too early in the relationship". And I'm also guessing that you refuse to go swimming, have sex with your wife and shower because it would require you to take off your garments. Come on, sir. You have to govern yourself in certain things. Being a blowhard only brings yourself down and those around you. The Savior rebuked the Pharisees for doing exactly what you do.
Think about it.

[–] jeffoneonone 14 years ago

You are a little too Peter-Priesthood-y. From what I gather, a person of your character shouldn't even be on the internet, since the possibility of accidentally stumbling onto a porn-site is too great. And I suppose that you think that a newly married couple shouldn't hold hands one week into their marriage because it's "too early in the relationship". And I'm also guessing that you refuse to go swimming, have sex with your wife and shower because it would require you to take off your garments. Come on, sir. You have to govern yourself in certain things. Being a blowhard only brings yourself down and those around you. The Savior rebuked the Pharisees for doing exactly what you do.
Think about it.

THIS! Cram it, churchy.

This is just between you and me, smashed hat.