A Gift to Readers of This Blog

By dianeravitch

April 20, 2014 //

Every once in a while, I come across something so delightful that I want to state it with you.

Here it is.

Categories Education Reform

62 Comments Post your own or leave a trackback: Trackback URL

Deborah says:

April 20, 2014 at 8:13 am

What a beautiful beginning of a life together. Thank you for sharing.

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readinexchange says:

April 20, 2014 at 8:14 am

Beautiful! Alleluia! Thanks for sharing this.

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Dorothy Finwall says:

April 20, 2014 at 8:14 am

Thank you, Diane. Moving and heartwarming!

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Justsaynottotedmitchell says:

April 20, 2014 at 8:20 am

Loved this!

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LG says:

April 20, 2014 at 8:29 am

He’s awesome! Although, if this is a Catholic ceremony, I hope the Pope doesn’t see this. No secular music is allowed during the mass.

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Special Educator In NY says:

April 20, 2014 at 8:34 am

Thank you. Simply lovely.

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Concerned Citizen says:

April 20, 2014 at 8:41 am

Happy Easter, Happy Passover, Happy Spring!

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Janet says:

April 20, 2014 at 9:11 am

Thank you for posting this, Diane. I saw it about a week ago and loved it and him. Saw it on Megyn Kelly the other night. She ran it in its entirety. The church has such beautiful acoustics, too. Thank you for this gift and all the others you so willingly share for our children, their families and our country and our teachers. Hope your treatment and recovery for your knee is as uneventful as possible. The heartfelt comments to you from so many of your grateful “fans”/admirers is touching.

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deb says:

April 20, 2014 at 9:11 am

Thank you. Music is such a powerful communicator. It reaches people directly and is long remembered.

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D says:

April 20, 2014 at 9:15 am

What a beautiful Easter morning gift! Thanks for sharing with us.

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Pat says:

April 20, 2014 at 9:29 am

Thank you. I’m sending this to my new bride and groom who married this past week. Just lovely.

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chemtchr says:

April 20, 2014 at 9:39 am

I remember when Leonard Cohen’s got some flack for his original poem, which linked sex and spirituality in ways that made established religion uncomfortable.
What if the priest had sung Cohen’s actual lyrics?

Now I’ve heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don’t really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing “Hallelujah”

Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you
She tied you to a kitchen chair.
She broke your throne and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah

Baby I have been here before
I know this room, I’ve walked this floor
I used to live alone before I knew you
I’ve seen your flag on the marble arch
Love is not a victory march
It’s a cold and it’s a broken Hallelujah

There was a time you let me know
What’s really going on below
But now you never show it to me, do you?
And remember when I moved in you
The holy dove was moving too
And every breath we drew was Hallelujah

You say I took the name in vain
I don’t even know the name
But if I did, well really, what’s it to you?
There’s a blaze of light
In every word
It doesn’t matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah

Maybe there’s a God above
But all I’ve ever learned from love
Was how to shoot somebody who outdrew you
And it’s not a cry that you hear at night
It’s not somebody who’s seen the light
It’s a cold and it’s a broken Hallelujah

I did my best, it wasn’t much
I couldn’t feel, so I tried to touch
I’ve told the truth, I didn’t come to fool you
And even though
It all went wrong
I’ll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

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- webera2014 says:
  
  April 20, 2014 at 12:39 pm
  
  Leonard Cohen offered us 33 official verses and supposedly over a 100 scrawled on napkins. We should honor those, not impose trite lyrics to turn the song into, essentially, its opposite.
  
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- chemtchr says:
  
  April 20, 2014 at 3:32 pm
  
  Your idea that blessing a young couple is the “opposite” of Cohen’s intention is way off base, webera. So is any effort to police the sexual or sacred implications of Cohen’s writing or melodic lines.
  
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H.A. Hurley says:

April 20, 2014 at 9:47 am

My father built giant pipe organs in Europe and as a child I was able to travel with him on many occasions when the organs were installed, tuned, played or maintained. I have such an emotional reaction to the music and acoustics in churches and cathedrals. The most memorable performance I witnessed as a child was a performance by Dr. Albert Schweitzer playing Bach on the organ in a large cathedral. It just does not get much better than that. Goosebumps Galore.
Diane, thanks for sending some goosebumps my way today.
Wonder how the BigDataCrunchers would measure the connection of such experiences to the soul?

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- Janet says:
  
  April 20, 2014 at 9:55 am
  
  I love your post H.A.Hurley. What wonderful experiences you had! (Please, please, don’t get those B.D.C.s any ideas, I shudder. I did hear how they were planning to put some kind of electrodes on kids to get their heartbeat and other data…..I mean if you say to a seed, “grow, grow now, not fast enough, not tall enough, not colorful enough” do you think that is going to help the seed?????? Now kidlets are not seeds, I know but we are complete humans. I highly encourage everyone here to read William Glasser’s work. Such an interesting timeline of books and thinking. I love The Quality School and also his book Choice Theory. I wonder if any of the deformers have even heard of him?
  
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- Bob Shepherd says:
  
  April 20, 2014 at 9:57 am
  
  wonderful
  
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  - Bob Shepherd says:
    
    April 20, 2014 at 9:58 am
    
    Thank you, H.A., for sharing that!
    
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Bob Shepherd says:

April 20, 2014 at 9:57 am

There’s a blaze of light in every word.

Thanks for this.

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Wendy says:

April 20, 2014 at 11:07 am

Fun! Thanks!

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fmindlin says:

April 20, 2014 at 11:42 am

I find it appalling that you would send your readers to Glenn Beck’s website! The video you liked could have been linked directly from YouTube with a moment’s care, instead of sending people to this vile pit of evil lies…

Careless and thoughtless of you.

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- dianeravitch says:
  
  April 20, 2014 at 11:59 am
  
  Sorry, fmindlin, I had no idea that was Glen Beck’s website. Just close your eyes and open the video. Then open your eyes and ears and enjoy.
  
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  - Fellow Landsman says:
    
    April 20, 2014 at 2:27 pm
    
    Absolutely, Diane !! Thank you.
    
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- ira shor says:
  
  April 20, 2014 at 12:02 pm
  
  Glenn Beck doesn’t scare us; don’t underestimate NPE folks. Sheer beauty is its own path. This video was a blessing.
  
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- webera2014 says:
  
  April 20, 2014 at 12:33 pm
  
  I agree entirely. It’s plagiarism and perverts the meaning of arguably the best song, which certainly was not about Christianity or marital love, ever written. Let’s stick to what brought us here.
  
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  - webera2014 says:
    
    April 20, 2014 at 12:36 pm
    
    Some of us don’t believe in “blessings.” What happens to diversity when we start turning a profound anthem written by a Jewish man into a Christian blessing? I know the intention was a good one, but I do think we need to be more careful.
    
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  - dianeravitch says:
    
    April 20, 2014 at 1:17 pm
    
    If Leonard Cohen complains, I will remove the video. Until then, enjoy the way that different people and different cultures and different traditions love his music and adapt it to their needs.
    
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  - chemtchr says:
    
    April 20, 2014 at 1:40 pm
    
    Oh, please. This specific song might have moved beyond charges of plagiarism at this point. It’s the 911 memorial anthem, the soundtrack to scrubs and a hundred other tv shows, and this wedding video, where this guy actually belted it out. I think the priest is okay with it, but It would be great if Cohen sued the Blaze for royalties. It’s a for-profit site, scavenging free stuff from the web.
    
    As far as the charge of sacrilege goes, that’s a hoot. Cohen himself kept adding verses, and between his and others there must be thousands by now. And how do you know the protagonist wasn’t married to his partner on Various Positions?
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallelujah_(Leonard_Cohen_song)
    
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- chemtchr says:
  
  April 20, 2014 at 1:22 pm
  
  I noticed right away, fmindlin, because I encounter that site often, when I research conservative opinion pieces. Diane probably picked up the link from some of her new populist conservative acquaintances.
  
  I don’t feel particularly contaminated, and I would advise everybody to stand down a little on our carefully cultivated Tea Party paranoia, and dial up our corporate influence paranoia on Beck.
  
  I am unwilling to relinquish the populists in the red states to Glen Beck’s leadership, so I’ve been paying attention to the people he hires to increase viewers. Here’s the guy who picked up the lyrical-fuzzy-feel-good wedding clip:
  
  “Oliver Darcy is the daytime weekend editor at TheBlaze. Previously, he served as the senior reporter at Campus Reform, where in 2012 he helped increased web traffic 33 times that of the previous year.
  Darcy’s work has been covered in hundreds of national and international news outlets, including CNN, FOX News, the Drudge Report and The Huffington Post. He has also been a television guest on several national news programs.”
  
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  - webera2014 says:
    
    April 20, 2014 at 7:30 pm
    
    “Cohen and others” can’t “add verses” to songs, it’s his song with his intentions, and if one were familiar with the song s/he would understand that it is not an ode to blissful love and religion, it’s a dark, metaphoric and ironic song. It’s like when right wingers use “Born in the USA” or “This Land is Your Land” as patriotic anthems when, in fact, their meaning (as understood if one were they to actually read all of the lyrics) have quite the opposite intent.
    
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  - chemtchr says:
    
    April 20, 2014 at 11:13 pm
    
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4tYJdDj3_8
    
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KrazyTA says:

April 20, 2014 at 11:52 am

Gift received.

Thank you.

😎

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webera2014 says:

April 20, 2014 at 12:31 pm

I am usually in full agreement with you, and I realize this post of the “Hallelujah” song is off topic, but this is really plagiarism. “Hallelujah” is arguably the greatest song ever written. Leonard Cohen provided 33 verses to choose from, and it’s been said he had over a hundred scrawled on napkins. To impose lyrics to turn a profound anthem which is obviously not about Christianity, nor marital love, (in fact, quite the opposite) into a trite wedding song is not what I would consider a gift. I appreciate the intention, but I think we should stick to the business that brought us here.

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- chemtchr says:
  
  April 20, 2014 at 1:47 pm
  
  Here’s one of thousands, in Jeff Buckley’s voice.
  
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  - Ellen Lubic says:
    
    April 20, 2014 at 7:03 pm
    
    Truly remarkable video, chemteacher. Thanks.
    
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- Ellen T Klock says:
  
  April 20, 2014 at 5:45 pm
  
  Webera2014
  
  The National Anthem was set to a drinking song.
  
  This was a lovely gesture – don’t start overthinking it.
  
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Dottie says:

April 20, 2014 at 5:41 pm

Well, after spending a good part of the week at church, I enjoyed it. Thank you, Dr. Ravitch. Happy Easter to you and yours!

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- webera2014 says:
  
  April 20, 2014 at 8:33 pm
  
  So how would we feel if someone took John Lennon’s “Imagine” and, with or without “permission,” wrote something like, “Imagine I sell Hondas/at 20 thou a shot/I would be quite the salesman/and I would make a lot.” Would it matter how pretty the melody was or the emotion behind the song? The words would be trite and contradictory to the message of the classic song.
  
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  - dianeravitch says:
    
    April 20, 2014 at 9:22 pm
    
    Webera2014, if Leonard Cohen doesn’t want people to write their own lyrics, he can sue.
    
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  - chemtchr says:
    
    April 20, 2014 at 10:44 pm
    
    I get the feeling he won’t. Webera, you’re welcome to hold it yourself, but you don’t get to impose your interpretation of a “dark, metaphoric and ironic song” on other listeners and performers. Cohen’s song is sad, but also luminous:
    
    “And remember when I moved in you
    The holy dove was moving too
    And every breath we drew was Hallelujah”
    
    “There’s a blaze of light
    In every word
    It doesn’t matter which you heard
    The holy or the broken Hallelujah”
    
    “I did my best, it wasn’t much
    I couldn’t feel, so I tried to touch
    I’ve told the truth, I didn’t come to fool you
    And even though
    It all went wrong
    I’ll stand before the Lord of Song
    With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah”
    
    You don’t own it, and Cohen has actually let it go out to the world. The melody is often used in an instrumental statement, and a man’s own (very beautiful) voice is his instrument. You might consider it tacky and trite, but you are wrong to claim offense.
    
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  - Ellen T Klock says:
    
    April 22, 2014 at 12:07 am
    
    Leonard Cohen – what a gentle soul. I’m sure he loved this particular rendition of his song.
    
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  - webera2014 says:
    
    April 22, 2014 at 12:27 am
    
    Shall we ask Leonard Cohen if his preference is that his poetry be turned into (in my opinion) pablum, or simply be content to speak with certainty for him? He probably IS tolerant of it because he’s unassuming and generous. That’s why I believe others have to defend the integrity of his work — his artistry and his vision. John Lennon was (ultimately) a gentle soul as well. So, SHOULD we be content to see the depth and intent of his message be changed into something inverted and trite?
    
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  - Ellen T Klock says:
    
    April 22, 2014 at 1:55 am
    
    I found it charming. I’m sorry you were offended.
    
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  - webera2014 says:
    
    April 22, 2014 at 10:55 am
    
    What I’ve taken issue with is not whether or not there was permission granted, whether or not the priest had a nice voice or whether or not songs can be covered by other artists. I’ve seen numerous YouTube videos of this song being turned into Christian proselytizing (not unlike the way “This Land Is Your Land” or “Born to Run” were hijacked). This doesn’t quite do that, but it does take a piece of art and completely rewrite and trivialize it. I’m not saying that’s illegal (at least once I was told he did gain the rights to do so), but I am questioning the treatment and misuse of art, and twisting the meaning of a poetic message based on latching onto a key word. It would bother me if “Blowin’ in the Wind” were turned into a kite commercial or “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” into a weight loss video. We don’t paint on other people’s paintings. Whether or not Cohen allowed his song to be used freely doesn’t mean that those who appreciate it on its merits should be happy when the depth of its message and artistry are shallowed and inverted. And we shouldn’t speak for him, saying that we’re sure he would just love this. In a way, though, I’m sorry I started all of this because there’s been so much more discussion on this one threat than about any on the corruption of public education. Yes, the corruption of art (as I see it; I am speaking for myself) is very significant, but the corruption of our children is more to the point here. So, since we’re repeating ourselves here, in this extremely important forum that, to me, is the true gift, I for one say we move on. Differences of opinion on this are quite reasonable. Let’s not lose sight of our agreements regarding issues central to this blog.
    
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  - Ellen T Klock says:
    
    April 22, 2014 at 12:34 pm
    
    I am in total agreement.
    
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  - LG says:
    
    April 22, 2014 at 6:23 am
    
    I think I would have a problem if this rendition was used without permission from Cohen and money was made off of it. Musicians do covers all the time in public at establishments that are expected to have an ASCAP/BMI license (or the modern equivalent) that funds compensation for intellectual property although there are probably more businesses that do not than do. The American Federation of Musicians (AFM) has been a champion of making sure composers and song-writers get paid for the use of their intellectual property. That said, it appears no money was made from this on the part of the performer. The videographer who posted this is the person who should be responsible in any suit should Cohen bring one as most license do not allow recordings of music without the express written consent if the composer. Technology has blurred th lines of what is permitted and what isn’t these days.
    
    In regard to the aesthetic argument, passing judgment on the quality of the composition is always personal which is probably why there is offense on both sides of this argument. People do not like it when others tell them that something they liked is trite–it insults them. Aesthetics is in the eye (or ear) of the beholder. I enjoyed the priest’s performance because of the quality of his voice. The lyrics were personal, though not very inventive. Is it the thought that counts in this situation? Or should we be arguing about the aesthetic quality of the lyrics?
    
    Finally, I think the fact that the priest allowed (even facilitated) secular music to be performed during the mass is the absolute biggest issue here. That is a no-no in the catholic practice. I find it odd that he would do this and even allow it to be posted. If he did not get special permission, he has broken the rules. Secular music can be performed in preludes, but once the mass has begun, it is not permitted. I attended a funeral recently for a fellow musician who was a huge Beatles fan. I was surprised that the church allowed “Let It Be” to be sung as the processional, despite the fact that the mass had ended at that time. There were other rites to be performed in the back of the church afterward.
    
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  - Ellen T Klock says:
    
    April 22, 2014 at 10:31 am
    
    I think that the Catholic Religion is easing up on the rules a little, at least where music is concerned, is a good thing. I once sang in a jazz mass, written and performed by Dave Brubeck, at a local Catholic Church attended by the Bishop. It was a phenomenal experience. We were dancing in the aisles and the applause was thunderous. A once in a lifetime event. (Dave Brubeck loved Buffalo and I got to meet him and sing his music, while he played the piano, on more than one occasion).
    
    On another note, copyright is a nuanced issue and you bring up some good points. I encourage the readers here to purchase the sheet music or the rights to any music which is going to be performed or put on the World Wide Web. If you plan to memorize a tune and sing it in the shower – feel free to indulge your fantasies, but don’t post it online.
    
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  - LG says:
    
    April 22, 2014 at 5:46 pm
    
    “Yes, the corruption of art (as I see it; I am speaking for myself) is very significant, but the corruption of our children is more to the point here. So, since we’re repeating ourselves here, in this extremely important forum that, to me, is the true gift, I for one say we move on. Differences of opinion on this are quite reasonable. Let’s not lose sight of our agreements regarding issues central to this blog.”
    Not to continue beating a deceased equine creature, the central purpose of this blog may be a larger issue, but the original post did not address it. Therefore, the discussion is fair game.
    
    Yours leans as an aesthetic position if you elevate the work of art to a place higher than that of art performance. It is important to acknowledge that many artistic acts have been born of bastardizing existing works, styles, fashions and customs, whether intentionally or unintentionally. This is often a necessary progression in art culture. Despite the fact that I also feel the lyrics in this example are not as worthy of the music as the original poetry (and thus interrupt the complete work), I cannot see the harm in utilizing the harmonic and formal constructs and their phrasing for one’s own personal enjoyment. “Corruption” is a strong word that might not fit this situation. One might find harm in publicly admonishing others for their aesthetic compasses. When we engage in such actions, we sound judgmental and risk alienating others. The aesthete in me has gone through many trials with my humanist side. Still a work in progress.
    
    To tie this all in with the blog’s larger topic at hand, worshipping at the “alter of standardization” lacks the humanism we so desperately need in our schools. The aesthetics of the CCSS smacks of artwork worship.
    
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Ellen T Klock says:

April 20, 2014 at 5:54 pm

We often forget how much music enhances our lives. This heartfelt song elevated an already memorable event into a legendary one.

On a personal note, my grandson Justin was baptized today before a congregation of close to 200, many of them friends and family from my childhood as well as my own children’s growing years. Lots of music, an orchestra, a children’s chorus, and several solos as well as a beautiful, personalized ceremony and a well thought out sermon. Throw in some Easter hymns and you’ve got a great event. Afterwards my kids, grand kids, mother, husband and I went out to brunch – it’s a rare occasion which finds us all together in the same location.

I am feeling sated – both in my stomach and in my soul.

Just had to share my happy day with you all. Happy Easter.

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- Ellen Lubic says:
  
  April 20, 2014 at 6:56 pm
  
  Congrats dear namesake. Their is nothing in life more precious than a grandchild. Best wishes to you and your family on such a special occasion.
  
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  - Ellen Lubic says:
    
    April 20, 2014 at 6:57 pm
    
    there…not their…still mellow from the music…thanks Diane.
    
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- chemtchr says:
  
  April 20, 2014 at 7:27 pm
  
  Mazel tov.
  
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- webera2014 says:
  
  April 20, 2014 at 9:53 pm
  
  I know that. I’m not fixating on the legality, for me it’s more about how I felt about the corruption of the messages and the artistry. And with that, I’d rather get back to the issues that brought us together here. I have a YouTube up that attempts to introduce the viewer to Common Core, standardized testing, teacher evaluation and the politics and economics behind them. If anyone’s interested, it’s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMn5mj_S7Rg
  
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  - chemtchr says:
    
    April 20, 2014 at 10:53 pm
    
    Yes, there are lots of columns coming to have that discussion; several a day, usually.
    
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- Ellen T Klock says:
  
  April 21, 2014 at 11:53 pm
  
  Thank you, dear friends.
  
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Karen says:

April 20, 2014 at 6:05 pm

Unfortunately he is bastardizing the Leonard Cohen Tim Buckley popularized song and melody– hopefully they will be allowed to practice birth control and are covered by their insurance – and the priest gave credit where credit is due– I am sorry but I have such a problem with the Catholic Church’s demonizing gays and gay marriage and their denial of providing insurance coverage for birth control– in Muskegon we only have Catholic hospitals– scarey! I was raised Catholic so feel I know a bit of what I speak –k

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

– First Amendment to the United States Constitution

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- Linda Johnson says:
  
  April 20, 2014 at 11:26 pm
  
  We are blessed to have freedom of religion in our country. And that means that Catholics, Jews, Protestants and Whatever can believe (or not believe) as they wish. Even if the majority of our citizens do not agree with the practice of a particular religion, those people are still free to exercise their beliefs.
  
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- Ellen T Klock says:
  
  April 21, 2014 at 11:56 pm
  
  Lighten up, Karen. There are so many things in life to stress over. The poetic license used in this song to celebrate a wedding is not one of them.
  
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chemtchr says:

April 20, 2014 at 11:23 pm

““This world is full of conflicts and full of things that cannot be reconciled. But there are moments when we can reconcile and embrace the whole mess, and that’s what I mean by ‘Hallelujah.’”
– Leonard Cohen

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- chemtchr says:
  
  April 21, 2014 at 7:23 am
  
  http://www.buzzfeed.com/karlstevens/things-you-might-not-know-about-hallejujah
  
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LG says:

April 22, 2014 at 7:08 am

This person got the rights from the publishers and other permissions from the church:

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=0E02FMNU&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=fbpage&utm_campaign=gtupdate

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- LG says:
  
  April 22, 2014 at 5:48 pm
  
  Did anyone catch the “corruption” of the Debussy quote in the musical introduction to this version of the song? 😛
  
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