2 Songs referred to in our Bible class

Two Songs

DEEP RIVER

This is one of the most famous Spirituals; the melody was adapted for a jazz tune, "Dear Old Southland." The original words, like the words of all Spirituals, are simple but get to the heart of the matter: The river is deep, but the goal is sure: to go "home," which is "campground," that is, a resting place after a battle (life). A Gospel Feast is promised in the land. (This Feast goes back to Isaiah, and Jesus later adopts the theme.) In the Promised Land (Heaven), all is peace. But, since the singer is still alive, the longing is what stays with the listener, as the opening verse is repeated. Go here.

Deep river, my home is over Jordan. Deep river, Lord, I want to cross over into campground. (2) Oh don't you want to go to that Gospel feast, that Promised Land, where all is peace.  Oh, deep river, Lord, I want to cross over into campground.

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SWINGING ON A STAR
Go here.

This song, from a Bing Crosby film, won the Best Song Oscar. It might have been inspired by a verse in Psalm 32:9: "Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not keep with you."
Or would you like to swing on a star
Carry moonbeams home in a jar
And be better off than you are
Or would you rather be a mule?

A mule is an animal with long funny ears
Kicks up at anything he hears
His back is brawny and his brain is weak
He's just plain stupid with a stubborn streak
And by the way, if you hate to go to school
You may grow up to be a mule.

Or would you like to swing on a star
Carry moonbeams home in a jar
And be better off than you are
Or would you rather be a pig?

A pig is an animal with dirt on his face
His shoes are a terrible disgrace
He has no manners when he eats his food
He's fat and lazy and extremely rude
But if you don't care a feather or a fig
You may grow up to be a pig.

Or would you like to swing on a star
Carry moonbeams home in a jar
And be better off than you are
Or would you rather be a fish?

A fish won't do anything, but swim in a brook
He can't write his name or read a book
To fool the people is his only thought
Yeah, but even though he's slippery, he still gets caught
But then if that sort of life is what you wish
You may grow up to be a fish.

And all the monkeys aren't in the zoo
Every day you meet quite a few
So you see it's all up to you
You can be better than you are
You could be swingin' on a star .

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