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viii |
PREFACE. |
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At the time there was no thought of publication, but since it has seemed wise to publish the collection, the nine modified songs have been placed along with the original ones in the hope they may prove serviceable, inasmuch as they express a different phase of thought and are set to new and fitting music. That songs should sometimes be altered seems inevitable, so long as a slight change will frequently render available one, which otherwise is useless; just as a story, by a certain inflexion of voice or the change of a few words, may be made to serve a new purpose. In dealing with'the subject, unity—showing that union gives strength, many can accomplish great things; the word "many "when introduced will color a whole song. In the Rainbow Song (Songs and Games for Little Ones) the lines,
Seven little fairies came
When the storm was ended, Seven little fairies came
Dressed up very splendid, Hand in hand they tripped along
Keeping time together, Driving gloomy clouds away Bringing much clear weather.
With a very slight change becomes:
Many little sunbeams came
When the storm was ended, Many little sunbeams came
Dressed up very splendid, Hand in hand they tripped along
Shining all together, Driving gloomy clouds away
Bringing back clear weather.
The latter form gives the idea of sunshine as the result of many sunbeams, and accents the point of unity as the song originally did not aim to do.
Again in the spring thought—Message and Messengers—the sunbeams, raindrops and south wind are the messengers to every thing in nature, the trees, flowers and moths to change their dress and come into another world of light and life. For this final thought, when once it had been reached, there was found no song which fitly expressed it and the following one was adapted:
Snow drop lift your timid head,
All the earth is waking, Field and forest brown and dead
Into life are breaking. Snow drop rise and tell the story How He rose—the Lord of Glory.
Snow drop lift your timid head,
The messengers are singing, Sleepers in the great brown bed
Into life are springing; Lift your head and tell the story How we too shall rise in glory. |
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