Cold in the Night

The song "Silent Night" is possibly the most popular ever written. It is the most published song in history. It has been recorded innumerable times in all major languages. At one point it was suggested that God himself must have written it (seriously), or at least Mozart. But it has those pesky religious lyrics. Ridgeway Elementary School in Dodgeville, WI solved this with new lyrics.

Cold in the night, no one in sight, winter winds whirl and bite, how I wish I were happy and warm, safe with my family out of the storm.

The school defends the "Winter Program" by pointing out that students also decorated the classroom with Santa Clause, Kwanza, Menorahs, and Labafana.

This is only a single school but I still worry when life imitates Saturday Night Live. On their December 3 show opening bit they sang a number of carols with all references to Christmas taken out.

Jerry Falwell thinks that this is an unconstitutional example of hostility to religion. I don't think that he has much of a case. Lots of melodies have changed meaning as new lyrics were applied. Our national anthem started as a drinking song. "What Child is This" started as a love song about a woman whose dress had green sleeves. The Irish dance show "Lord of the Dance" got its title melody from the Shaker "Simple Gifts" (and the Shakers don't dance).

Still, the school administration has a tin ear. There are lots of Christmas carols that have nothing to do with Christmas (Jingle Bells, Winter Wonderland, Sleigh Ride, Frosty the Snowman).

Note - if you are like me you never heard of "Labafana". She is actually "La Befana", an old woman who was given a chance to accompany the Wise Men on their way to see the infant Jesus. It was a cold night so she waited until the next day and found the manger empty. She has spent the last 2,000 years checking on children and giving them presents in case one of them is Jesus. You can read about her here and here.

I don't know if the mis-spelling of Santa Claus, Kwanzaa, and La Befana was from the school's press release or if Falwell's group needs a proof-reader.